this morning i wake up still thinking
about the different words for strength.

and worrying if i should change my word
for kraton to reflect mastery or rulership.

and repeating the greek outloud to feel
the shapes and sounds that occupy my mouth.

ischuran echthran — i keep saying it because
the ugliness is exciting and pleasurable.

and then there is oligen orgen — which i very
eagerly desire to hear you speak.

so i turn to you, as i would beg you to repeat
these slightly stirring words.

but when i see you watching me, with your
patient and familiar expression —

just then, the wonder of this given shelter
plants me softly on my knees.


//

Phaedrus: (as Lysias, cont.)

not through small things
taking up (ana-aireein)
strong hatred (ischuran echthran)

but through big things
slowly (bradeos)
making (poieein)
slight temper (oligen orgen)

// 233ξ

οὐδὲ διὰ σμικρὰ ἰσχυρὰν ἔχθραν ἀναιρούμενος

ἀλλὰ διὰ μεγάλα βραδέως ὀλίγην ὀργὴν ποιούμενος