( An assignment for school. Taking a passage from a book and making a prose poem based on it. )

Passage: “Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge, and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be his world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow.” (Shelley, Frankenstein, 1.3.35)

Frankenstein’s Lament
How foolish was I to aim to achieve a godlike ambition
To reach beyond Hell and turn my back on voices heeding warnings,
My fingers dug through hard earth, soiled peace, and mocked Death.
Celestial secrets were abused within my odyssey
and what came forth was no God nor man, but an abomination.

Within my message, I beg you seek caution once ignored.
For knowledge incapable within human bounds will promise you a standing grave.
A never-dying shadow, snuffing out any bit of happiness, will haunt you sleeplessly.
Should you wish for a life fulfilled and aspire to greatness; loved ones to hold and not bury,
learn from me and regard my tale, less we share a path towards a loathing and bitter end.