Riddle of the Sphinx by Belinda Roddie I know the riddlers of the world who claim themselves the kings Of answers from the comprehensive to the petty things A fool’s demise, the lions’ pride, and all things in between But I can say not one can solve the riddle of the sphinx The lady who looks ravishing yet hidden in her minx Her wealth will melt, for she can’t solve the riddle of the sphinx I know two boys named John and Joe, both cunning as the lynx But swift device will not suffice the riddle of the sphinx The wanderer with treasure borne from relics of the weak His jewels to gruel, his stories lost, sans answer to the beast His travels will mean nothing with no answer to the sphinx And Oedipus, contraire to tale, did cower on his knees Incestuous throne was overthrown by dodging prophecies Yet it was failure to reveal the riddle of the sphinx I know the riddlers of the world who fall among the rest When their old tricks irrelevant are thus