Atlas and Sysiphus: A poem by David Rogers

I have to wonder why S never notices
the thing to do when he reaches the top is
take a cue from Atlas
pick the boulder up
shoulder the burden
take a stand on nothing
seize the moral high ground of penance
Granted
S in Hades
has to work at the center of the universe
all eyes upon him
whereas no one questions Atlas
lest he turn
step across the mountain
the world still squarely anchored
on the broad shoulder
carry everything away
back to the space and time of Titans
the River Ocean
sea dragons
beyond which the terror
the horror
the unthinkable Nothing
which S must contemplate each time
he reaches the top
until at last his fear is overcome
by his longing