This is an excerpt from Odysseus-The Epic Myth of the Hero, an original, novel length, narrative poem by Marc Ladewig, published by Infinity Publishing.com. Odysseus has been shipwrecked by the sea god Poseidon and he swims for three days and nights. Odysseus remembers his home Ithaka as he ponders his fate lost out on the open ocean.  

 "O Ithaka, dear land that gave me birth,
sweet island of sharp rocky soil,
much better suited to a quick thinking goat
for clambering than a noble horse
for running mindlessly all out, a cheering crowd
in his ear. This life a slip and catch
much more than flat-out open run,
so Ithaka breeds men with sharp eyes,
true hands, quick feet; archers, oar lovers,
climbers, acrobats, knife throwers and swimmers.
I spent my youth in waters of the sea
that bathed the rocky coves and bays of Ithaka;
waters that could run as blind as milk
or seem to be the juice that was the wettest,
coolest part of sunlight; waters that gave
no purchase for footing past your last kick
and most everyday, you could see
all the way to the bottom. The argument
that raged among us boys was, which was larger,
sea or sky? I always held the sea
was more immense because it's closer.
It's fitting somehow here I am again
to settle this with one last clear regard."