Execution-style

 

I say The State, but meet one of the main-humans stage-managing the case against me:   (Anytus uh-n-ay t uhs*)  who, happens to be the wealthy son of an (decent) industry mogul 

Which is   the reason   he’s risen to his present status of:  Powerful Politician

 

Preceding that vocation, Dad’s wheel-greasing was also integral in making him: General of a War Fleet 

How did A-n-ai-t-us handle himself in the heat of battle?  Well … 10 years ago, he was charged with: treason - for: failing to fire a shot when everyone was relying on him to complete his mission

But here’s the real beauty of money - he got off  -  coz ... :  he bribed the jury

Literally, the first human to ever do it.   A true visionary 

 

Once the verdict was in,  i was given a chance, by, my learned friends, to:    Beg  The Mercy of THE Court  

What punishment ought you get for your crimes, then, in your opinion?

I was meant to recant, say: exile.   Give:  everyone a way out

But to hell with that.  I replied: 

How ‘bout a small government-paid stipend,  in perpetuity … ?  

In recognition of my contribution to society … ?

Enough for meals at the community centre is fine.  I'm already seventy … so ….great deal financially for ya tax-funded ORG.entity

 

Our protagonists don’t go for that, as we’ve covered. Too intoxicated by their love affair with their own roiling malice

 

The end is, fittingly:   a poisoned chalice   -  hemlock   -  concocted by the resident alchemist  (Guesses)

 

The final scene? … :  eerily deja vu … 

A secluded prison cell, in a cave, on a rocky outcrop.  Into which, a government actor enters, bearing a cup of: deadly condemnation

 

On the bright side …  i can still hear the sea’s timeless caress - then there’s the congregation of friends gathered - an intimacy - it feels like the way it was always meant to be

I’m ready to be set free: spiritually

 

With a steady hand, i accept the cup - crack one last joke with the alchemist:  Does the occasion call for a libation?  Ok if i pour a portion of the wine on the ground for the GODS?  How ‘bout it?

He says, straight-faced: No. The amount is bespoke. Scientifically calculated to do the job

Ohrr.  Pity.  Then here’s to my soul’s journey to infinity … 

I lift the cup to my lips, drain it in one gulp

 

By so doing, i:  transcend death

 

Lurking from beyond the grave, I still play a foundational role in:   THE Golden Age of Philosophy

Schools of which’ll run fine as fountains of wisdom …for:  another 900 years after i’m bodily gone

Right up until the Dark Ages … & counting

(Guesses)

 

 

 

 

_{Ans: Socrates}

 

* Anytus - born to money princeling - failed military leader charged with treason - jury briber - political elite - driving force in the case against Socrates

* Asclepius - Greek God of Medicine (son of Apollo) was a mortal who became immortalized as a God.  Gifted doctor in real life -  could reputedly resurrect the dead … (possible if you knew CPR)

At length Zeus, afraid that Asclepius might render all men immortal, slew him with a thunderbolt