“I’m the fairest!” Boomed Athena
“No, I’m the prettiest!” Sung Aphrodite
Hera stepped in, “I have the most beauty!”
Eris smirked, “Zeus shall decide.”

A discord apple lands in his hands
Zeus—cowardly and miserably—
Declare,
“All three of you have equal beauty.”

Three goddesses argue among themselves.
Eris stands, half-satisfied,
As Zeus heaves the
Golden Apple.


The Golden Apple strikes
The green grass
Beside a man—heroic but naïve.
Each woman proposes a gift.

Hera offers, “Choose me and you shall be king.”
Athena states, “Wisdom and skills shall be your gift.
Aphrodite enchants, “The beauty of a woman shall be yours.”

Paris—man inside and out—
Thrusts the Golden Apple
Upon Aphrodite.

In the distance,
Ares chuckles as
A thousand ships
Are being launched.