the valley below

characters in the dialogue

GAIA ( Γαῖα ) ( she - dyad earth )
ALPHA CRONE ( Γραῦς Α ) ( an old woman )
KUKNEION ( κύκνειος ) ( it - of a swan )
TRAGOS ( Σωκράτης ) ( a goat )
STRATEGIDOS ( Γραῦς Α ) ( she - commander )
QUEEN BEE ( Γραῦς Α ) ( queen of bees )
MELISSAN ( μελισσᾶν ) ( of she - bees ) ( etc. )
FLOWERS ( Γραῦς Α ) ( ἄνθος ) ( a flower )
MOON ( Σωκράτης ) ( μής ) ( the moon )
WINTER ( Νεᾶνις ) ( she - season - accused )

//

GAIA:
we know that you need your beauty - rest
but still { we talk to you when you sleep } ,

ALPHA CRONE:
but( yet )( on the other hand )( while )
you( nom )

σὺ δὲ

KUKNEION:
trying gracefully to stay awake
as you sing by me your dictionary
and we contemplate it roundly ,
like a melon so large it broke the valley ,

ALPHA CRONE:
( o )dear - little - pet( it - voc - nom - acc )
( love - charm - potion - spell )( philtron )
( it - full )( o he )( will - be - raising - up )
( lifting )( hoisting )( walking - lightly )( tripping )
( making - signals )( mounting - up )( high - in -
heaven )( rising )( seizing - snatching - up )( taking -
up )( drawing water )( plucking herbs )( gathering )
( carrying - and - bringing )( bearing as a burden )
( wearing - clothes )( getting - under - way )
( getting - under - sail )( setting - out )( carrying -
too - far? )( raising )( levying )( rearing )( offering )
( exalting )( exciting )( growing excited )( plucking - up -
courage )( raising by words )( praising )( extolling )
( exaggerating )( clearing away )( removing )
( cancelling )( nulling and voiding )( lifting
and taking away )( putting an end to )

( φιλοττάριον )

KUKNEION:
unbothered by the endlessness,
unbothered by the endlessness,
unbothered by the endlessness,
may we please have some more ?

ALPHA CRONE:
( it - him )( coming and going )( we - being )
( it - him - arrow )( him - poison - venom - of honey -
bees - by which snakes care for infant - accused )
( it )( violet )( viola odorata )( gilliflower )
( matthiola incana )( any - flower )
( a precious stone of black - purple color )
( lets call it lazuli - ionik )

φιλοττάριον

KUKNEION:
yes we would be here to meet
the honey bees , examine flowers ,
and behold your stunning treasure ,

ALPHA CRONE:
( o )flute - player( o dyad - he - nom - acc )( o - he - nom )
( o - farm - servant )( o - he - wasp - dyad )
( it would play flute )( you would play flute )
( o - he - sanitary enginner - dyad )( play the flute, you ! )

KUKNEION:
( hopefully she doesn’t mind
if it sounds more like a horn )
in which mode, O Alpha Crone ?

ALPHA CRONE:
( o - she - open - court - nom - acc )( court of
a temple )( dwelling )( abode )( chamber )( a cave ? )
( like homes of dwellers in the wild )( its a country - house ! )
( to - by - for )( open court )( temple - dwelling )
( which ? )( o she - dyad - full )( o - its - full )

αὐλητὰ

KUKNEION:
did you ever notice how puddles
grow larger and deeper and wilder
the closer you look at them ?

ALPHA CRONE:
the( hims - accused )pipes( flutes )( claronets )( trumpets )
( hollow tubes )( grooves )( vizards - masks - disguises )
( sockets of the spear-head - into which the spear-shaft fits )
( jet of blood through nostril tube )( bellows of a smith )
( blow - hole of cetacea )( funnel of a cuttle - fish )
( stadia )( haulm of grain )( hem - locks or cows - bane )
( conic ventricals of fishes heart )( razor - shell - clams )

τοὺς αὐλοὺς

KUKNEION:
O for a thicker lexicon . . . 

ALPHA CRONE:
( o he - nom )taking hold of( laying on of hands )
( grasping )( seizing )( taking it by violence )
( capturing the spoil )( carrying off as prize )
( catching as a fish )( killing and slaying it )
( taking for its use )( to itself )( taking as its due )
( taking out of its receptacle )( winning the fame )
( making a meal )( taking under its care )( of the she -
handles - hafts )( she - generative - opportunities )

λαβὼν

KUKNEION:
who - he - nom, O crone ?
as you may see, it ( he ) aint me.
even in dreams, still a swan ,
nibbling pondweed and snails, or . . .
you seem a well - born leader.
what would you want me to be ?

STRATEGIDOS( SHE - COMMANDER ):
( o it - voc - nom - acc )( him - accused )counter - balancing
( weighing as much )( of like value )( of like worth )
( worthy )( goodly )( deserved )( meet )( and due )
( estimable )( quality )( as peers of its own rank )
( honor - worthy at our hands )( worthy to be killed )

KUKNEION:
well as you know, O lady, would we die
beautifully ( to - by - for ) her cause
and naturally, its just what swans do ,

STRATEGIDOS:
( o it - voc - nom - acc )( o him - accused )( will be leading )
( carrying - )( fetching )( bringing )( taking as a wife )
( - off as booty )( leading forcibly away )( harrying )( ravaging )
( bring into the state )( carrying as cargo )( importing )
( drawing on )( bringing on )( spreading far and wide )
( leading towards a point )( leading to death )( leading -
on )( managing )( reasoning )( conducting inquiry )
( bringing - up )( training )( educating )( animal
and man )( drawing out in length )( drawing out a line )
( letting upright lines be drawn )( describing a plane )
( holding )( celebrating )( keeping )( observing a date )
( reckoning )( sustaining )( maintaining )( keeping - laughing )
( holding - account )( treating )( believing in )( drawing -
down in the scale )( weighing )( taking and bringing home )
( breaking )( and shivering )( the winding course of sound )

ἄξιον

KUKNEION:
how marvellously assertive it sounds.
but were not sure that parts a part of me.
we prefer to dance in circles, on my pond.
a straight lines not what we were born to do.
so if were round, what would you recommend ?

STRATEGIDOS:
of( him - her - gen )me( you vomit and throw up )
( made sick with a feather )( you )( throw - up - a flood of words )
( vomit and throw up, you ! )( it - him - gen )( of mine )

ἐμοῦ

KUKNEION:
well that seems like one way to get it done,
but were not sure we understand.
lets beautifully repeat after you.

regurgitated with a feather, white,
and yet we need to contemplate these things.

made sick by a feather . . . or of a feather ?
to vomit the sweet nectar of flowers
more like . . . would you turn me into a bee ?

STRATEGIDOS:
and( indeed )of you( genitive )( little bird, shoo, shoo ! )
( set it in motion, you ! )( quick ! )( drive it on ! )
( hunt it, you ! )( chase it, you ! )( drive it away ! )
( send it spinning ! )( scatter them ! )( urge them on ! )
( hasten it ! )( speed it ! )( rush its flight ! )( gone ! )
( rush it out ! )( gush it out ! )( eruption of flux ! )
( eager, you ! )( set on it ! )( get bent ! )-( upon ! )
( of thy )( of thine )( of yours )( genitive - it - him )
( chase it off ! )( chase it off ! )( chase your him away ! )

καὶ σοῦ

KUKNEION:
unbothered by her aggressive language,
yet we may have been swallowed by a dream.
its feeling slightly queasy with my reflection.
how might we pass through these . . .
where are we again ?

STRATEGIDOS:
( o it - voc - nom - acc )( o him )( will be fluting - to )
( o it - voc - nom - acc )( o him )( will have fluted - through )
( will be fluting - on - at - beside me )play the flute(, you ! )
( fluting - towards ( on )( at )( - beside - )( in - accordance - with )

( flute, you ! )( - around the )( o she - nom )( to - by - for - she )
( open - court )( court - yard )( steading for cattle )( quad -
rangle )( round which the house was built )( court )
( hall )( dwelling )( abode )( chamber )( its
a country - house )( eu - phem - ismos )
( whatever this place is )( of a cave )
( where you seem to live )

προσαύλησον

KUKNEION:
we would love to do that ,
you must be some kind of queen.
you remind me of my received command .

QUEEN BEE:
( o it - voc - nom - acc )( its limb )( bodily frame )
( body - member )( body - member )( dis - membering )
( song )( strain )( phrase )( tune )( lyric theme )( it - full )
( play the tones )( properly )( melody )( choral hymn )ditty
( melos ) ( melos ) ( melos ) ( melos . . . ) ,

μέλος.

KUKNEION:
what a lovely word and how it echoes off - into . . . me
the swan - song . . . or the song of bees ?
either way it enchants me. so { in my dream
we walk through my neighborhood }

absorbed in everything we see , and may
become something different ,

TRAGOS:
so( in this way )
( you - plural )will discover( find - out )
( will light and come upon )( of immaterial things )
( you will find and come upon in a specified way )
( will hit upon )( devise )( contrive )( and be able to )
( will discover by experience )( it will befall - all - you )
( youll think - of and hit - upon )( as fitting and suitable )
( youll get a chance )( get and gain )( acquire wealth )
( you will bring upon itself )( youll fetch and earn )
( will incur )( will secure )( the current price )well .

οὕτως εὑρήσετε.

KUKNEION:
and may we hold the wealthy . . . ( it )( him - accused )
( to be ? )the( him - acc )wise( it ) . . . ( him - accused )
( accused ) . . . even when we arent me . . . but who . . .

GAIA:
as whom would they coax her to { tell all
the secrets } of Delos and Pytho
of the Dioskouroi ( checks notes )
and of . . . “I - am - us” ? never heard of us.
this wasnt handed to me in discovery.
does this temple have legal limits ?

QUEEN BEE:
if( you come )( and go )( into )( a ship )( you are we )
( if you come and go )( walk or run or fly like bees )
any( her or him )( nom - nom )( who ? )( which ? )one

εἴ τις 

MELISSAN:
you dont have to tell me twice ,
O lady queen . ( but sometimes its nice )
how would ( we - its ) bee ?

QUEEN BEE:
( o it - voc - nom - acc )( him - accused )( a )good
( well - born )( gentle )( aristocrats ? )( if beauty too )
( brave )( valiant )( capable )( well - behaved )
( circumstances )( serviceable )( good - for - it )
( good purpose )( good end )( morally good )
( good blessings )( benefit )( a baby is a good ! )
( goods of fortune )( treasures )( wealth )( all
good things )( dainties )( qualities )
( good points of a horse )( good )( itsy )

ἀγαθὸν

MELISSAN:
whats the first thing
for a good bee to know about being - itsy ?

QUEEN BEE:
( it )wishes( wills )( is willing )( wish is will )( its minded )
( it supports )( or would have )( according to its wish )
( as its ready )( as it pleases )( as it likes )( as you like it )
( it means )( it professes )( it pretends )( it desires )
( it tends to be )( its wont )( it had rather )( it prefers )

MELISSAN:
o lady, you seem to speak of flowers.
would they themselves tell me what flowers prefer ?

FLOWERS:
to have( it )done to( it )( to suffer )( to be done - to )
( to be treated by another )( to suffer at its hands )
( to have it happen to it )( to be affected in a way )
( in a state )( or in a case )( or in a fable )( or in the stable )
( to be influenced )( to feel feelings )( to feel passion )
( to be , or come to be, in a certain state of mind ? )
( to be )( beastly ? )( disposed )( of feelings or impulse ! )
( to be subject to changes )( and to modification )
( to suffer hard experience )( or anything at all )
( to be the injured party )( to suffer bad )( ill )( evil )
( to endure )( to undergo )( to have it laid upon )
( to be called upon to bear )( to have it befall one )
( to have it come upon )( chance encounter )( met death )
( to suffer the punishment )( pay the penalty )
( of )some( o it - voc - nom - accused ),

βούλεται παθεῖν
τι,

MELISSAN:
hmm . . . so much of you sounds so delicious.
but bee tongue may not be the best of tongues
for inflicting death upon a flower ,
or evil, or whatever happens in a stable ,

VIOLETS:
( o - he - Paris ! )( o - she - Paros ! )
( o - shes - disabled in a limb - nom ! )
( o - its - a maimed limb - nom - acc )
( o - helpless - he )( o - blinded - he )
( to - by - for )( she - of the mind . . . )

( παρ᾽ )

MELISSAN:
hmm . . . we may not be able
to start the Trojan war just yet
yet we have the power of numbers,
as well as our thirst. and we love

to stick it into flowers, even
to drill it into them. we love that taste.
O Flower, in what relation could we drink
the most from the majority of flowers ?

FLOWERS:
beside( by )( near - by )( in the company of )
( at - hand )( ready - to - aid )( among )( issuing from )
( at - its - command )( past - it )( passing - it - by )
( aside from it )( away from it )( turning - aside )
( at the house )( of the household )( in the land of )
( in the hands or power of )( set along - side )
( before )( in the presence of )( in contemplation of )
( beside )( along - with )( along - side )( along - by )
( beyond )( in excess of )( from beside )( or simply from )
( from itself )( from its means )( all that issues from
it )( to a point from which action takes place )
( in judgment ) ,

παρ᾽

MELISSAN:
judgment ( to - by - for ) whom ?

FLOWERS:
( to - by - for )me ,

ἐμοὶ

MELISSAN:
o flowers, youve turned my tennae on.
my eyes grow warm, my feelings feel fuzzy ,
tell me again, lets waggle and get buzzy ,
how would my workers work by you ?
and how may we love flowers for honey ?

FLOWERS:
( it )must( be we ! )( its necessary )( one must )
( one ought )( it must needs )( o she - nom - necessity )
( o - she - nom - need ! )( o she - nom - desire )( desire ! )
( its falling upon )( attacking )( attack - assail it, you ! )
( it inflicts )( desire - conceives )( inflict - desire, you ! )
( its vexing )( its laying hands upon )( vex it, you ! )
( its giving oracular response )( give oracular response ! )
( its proclaiming )( warning )( directing by an oracle )
( its furnishing a thing )( proclaim and furnish, you ! )
( its scraping )( and grazing )( and wounding slightly )
( scrape and graze and wound it slightly, you ! )

χρὴ

MELISSAN:
so that we follow our desire completely ?
but what does it feel like
to be a flower under - going that ?

FLOWERS:
to lie down to sleep( to sleep ? )( to sleep by night )
( to lay itself down to sleep )( to go to bed )( to slumber )
( to go to sleep )( to pass the night )( to lie asleep )( to lie idle )
( to be in a sleeping state )( to sleep away its life )
( to lie still )( to be at rest )( to sleep a sleep
of )( temporary )( death ) .

καθεύδειν.

MELISSAN:
but its word bothers me slightly.
O queen why would a living thing
such as a flower ( it like we ? )
( we like it ? ) be okay
to sleep the sleep of death ?

QUEEN BEE:
for( theyre )not( we - being - we )there( - )in
( not - living - we )( not - we - continuing )
( not - we - in - hand )( not - current - we )
( not - really - we )( not - we - happening )
( not - we - in - fact )( not - a case of we )
( not - we - coming - to - pass )( not - we - in -
essence )( not - we - in - reality )( not - we - are - in )
( not - we - necessarily )( not - we - in - any - case )
( not - we - of - consequence )( not - we -
of - import )( not - we - and - always - we )

(895) οὐ γὰρ ἐν

MELISSAN:
we wonder then does ( it - we ) wonder ,
and how ?

FLOWERS:
( to - by - for )( the )young( youthful - shes )
( the new )( the fresh )( the first-day - she )
( the unexpected - strange - untoward - evil - she )

MELISSAN:
it sounds like it wants the wild me.
and what would wild - me do ?

FLOWERS:
( you )( would )( plough - up )( vigorously )
( thoroughly )( to - by - for )( the she - fallow - land )
( to - by - for )( the she - ships - vessels -
temple - dwellings ) .

νέαις

MELISSAN:
even feeling a little dizzy ,
shall we let ourselves get lost ?

STRATEGIDOS:
the( o it - voc - nom - acc )( the it following - )
( the )skilled( o it - voc - nom acc )( him - accused )
( in any handicraft )( in any art )( the clever )
( clever in practical matters )( the wise )( the prudent )
( the statesmanlike )( the shrewd )( the worldly - wise )
( the tricky )( with clever notions )( with the resources
it has )( the learned and the wise )( the subtle )
( the ingenious )( and the recondite )
( even of animals )

( into )( theyre we )( it )is( we )

τὸ σοφὸν ἔνεστιν

KUKNEION:
meanwhile its rainy season somewhere
and we may be dreaming somewhile yet
as { water keeps gathering in large puddles }
large enough for me to float around
and see you, O circum - spectral Moon,

MOON:
around( about )( in regard to )( rarely on both sides )
( about near )( for )( above )( on account of )
( concerning )( in regard to )( the circumstances of )
( as for )( as to )( before )( beyond )( above )
( of consequence )( of worth )( on its behalf )
( round about )( by grasping )( spitted - upon )
( trans - fixed )( standing over )( for or about )
( by reason of )( round )( somewhere near )( upon )
( imputable to )( about it )( its colleagues or family )
( in the case of )( concerning )( in respect of )( of )
( connected with )( works at )( affairs or events of )
( before or above others )( exceedingly )( near )( by )
( right heartily )( beyond measure )( very much )
( more than others )( especially )( in particular )
( in the matter of )( in reference to contention over it )
( in reference to motion about the inside of it )
( round - about - upon )( round - about - inside )
( of concentric circles of metal forming a whole )

περὶ

KUKNEION:
so we would still be a swan ,

MOON:
even( indeed )( of a truth )( with a later “but” implied )
( on the one hand )( at one time )( with μὲν
other particles may combine, such as οὖν )certainly
( in fact )( really )( very )( at all events )( at least )
( we grant )( when once )( as soon as )( actually )
( so then )( so )( then )( therefore )( well,
as we were saying . . . ) ,

μὲν οὖν

KUKNEION:
yet in my dream, well —
what are flowers ( to - by - for ) me ?

MOON:
of which( whose )( of hers )( of hims )( of them )( of these )
( of its )( plural - hers - hims - its - genitive ) ,

ὧν 

KUKNEION:
what are bees ( to - by - for ) me ?

MOON:
the( o hes - nom - plural )( to - by - for )( him - or - her - self )
first( o hes - nom - plural )( in front )( a - fore )( former )
( earliest )( foremost )( the front or end of a pole )
( the outermost doors )( the front bench )( the first dawn )
( first - offered )( above all )( especially )( the first )
( the first in order or existence )( the primary )( the prime )
( the primitive )( the simple )( the normal )( the typical )
( the first men of the state )( the first - highest - hims )
( the destined men )( to - by - for )( she - Proto )( a Nereid )

οἱ πρῶτοί

KUKNEION:
so theyre the slightest go - getters , it seems.
of whom ? 

MOON:
of me( him or her )( genitive )( of the - him - moon )
( monthly )( lunar month )( time of the month )
( time of the moon )( the crescent moon )( the phase )
( crescent - moon - ornament )( him - mensis too )

μου

KUKNEION:
whats their work in this ?

MOON:
( the )( o shes - nom )( o - hes - nom )accusers( prosecutors )
( betrayers )( they - it would speak - against )( it would accuse )
( it would denounce )( bring as a charge - against )( allege )
( it would signify )( indicate )( prove )( publicly )( display )
( it would declare )( assert )( predicate )( affirm categorically )
( publicly - speak - downwards - over - against - in - answer - to -
throughout - in - accordance - with - and - back - again ).

κατήγοροι

KUKNEION:
are they making a word - song - loop ?
are we making a word - song - loop ?
loops are my favorite shape of word - song ,

MOON:
( they )were speaking - against( we were speaking - against )
( o he )( o it - voc - nom - acc )( speaking - against )( accusing )
( denouncing )( bringing as a charge - against )( alleging )
( appearing as an accuser )( appearing as a prosecutor )
( signifying )( indicating )( proving )( publicly )( displaying )
( declaring )( asserting )( predicating )( affirming categorically )
( publicly - speaking - downwards - over - against - in - answer - to -
throughout - in - accordance - with - and - back - again ) .

κατηγόρουν

KUKNEION:
may we beauty - call - it the kata - go - round ?
and whats my tune in the kata - go - round ?

MOON:
( o )this( she - voc - nom )( this she here )( the nearer she )
( you )stand( you make a stand )( you set up )( you raise up )
( you set )( you place )( you come to a standstill )( you stay )
( your poo wont come out )( satisfied ? )( you come to a stop )
( you check )( you stop )( you halt )( you stand idle )( you fix )
( you compose )( you set on its feet )( you stir up )( you set up
and appoint )( you establish )( you institute )( you determine )
( you bring about )( you place in the balance )( and weigh )
( you take up an intellectual attitude )( youre stationary )
( you hold good )( third person imperative - let it be we )

αὕτη ἔστω

KUKNEION:
O Moon , that seems like the work for me.
but what if my poo does come out ?
everybody takes a poo, even swans ,
so sometimes water shows me poo too.
or if my balance becomes unsteady ,
if we seem to be waddling ,

MOON:
( o - she - nom )sufficient( becoming )( befitting )( competent )
( sufficing )( a match for )( equivalent to )( very tolerable )
( adequate )( satisfactory )( satisfying )( security ).

ἱκανὴ 

KUKNEION:
O Moon, with your support
youve given me a burst of courage .
show it to me in one mighty word !

MOON:
( o she - dyad )( voc - nom - acc )( full )( o she - nom -
so - called )speech - in - defence( apologia )( apo - logia )
( o its - oracles )( sprung from )( shot from )( away - off - and
back - again )( finishing off )( its - oracles )( completing )
( its - voc - nom - acc - oracles )

( o she - dyad )( voc - nom - acc )( full )( o she - nom -
collection )( for the poor )( for taxes )( for religious
purposes ? )( voluntary contributions )( sprung - from -
away - off - back - again )( she - dyad - collection - nom )
( finishing off )( completing )( she - dyad - collection - acc )

( o it - voc - nom - acc )( full - it )( a speaking place )
( sprung - away - from )( back - again )( completing )
( whats ones own )( the stage in a theater )( a platform )

( she - dyad - full )( its - full )( o - she - nom )( sprung - from -
shot - from )( off - away - from )( back again )( finishing -
off )( completing )( of the logoi )( versed in tales or stories )
( learned )( erudite )( skilled in words )( eloquent )( in speeches
and accounts )( reckonings )( measures )( tales )( esteem )
( values )( considerations )( relations )( correspondences )
( ratios )( proportions )( analogies )( explanations )( pleas )
( pretexts )( grounds )( reasons )( cases )( statements
of theory )( arguments )( discourses )( teachings )( theories )
( laws )( rules of conduct )( principles )( consciences )
( precepts )( theses )( hypotheses )( formulae )( definitions )
( thinkings )( reasonings )( reflections )( deliberations )
( sprung - from )( off - away )( finishing - off )( back -
again )( of or belonging )( to - by - for )( the logoi )

ἀπολογία

KUKNEION:
O Moon,
this reminds me of the most wonderful thing
said by someone, maybe a goat,
or maybe a butterfly or moth, as if
its how we beauty - call - διανοεῖσθαι - to think -
through, and look, its beauty - called me - too :

logon( him - speech - reckoning - acount - accused )
which( him - it - accused )( o she - nom )herself
towards( upon - against )( so as to face )
( in relation to )herself( her - accused )

( where )( o )the( she - voc - nom )LIFE
( she - departed spirit )( she - ghost )( she - soul )
( she - self )( she - conscious - self )( she -
spirit - where ? )( she - butterfly )( she - moth )

( it would grow cool )( it would grow cold )
( fire would be put out )( fire would be refreshed )
( it would be chilled )( it would be tormented )
( it would be frigid )( it would be made dry )
( it - dyad - full )( its - dyad - full )( cold )( frosts )
( cold weather )( winter - time )( coolness )

( it )goes completely( passes )through
( in succession )( in detail )( relating circum -
stantially )( relating circum - spectively ? )

around( about )which( of hers - hims - its - genitives )

( on the watchtower )
( it would )behold( contemplate )( examine )( inspect )
( look out )( watch )( look to )( look into )( consider )
( you )( would )( behold )( contemplate )( examine )
( inspect )( look out )( watch )( look to )( look into )( consider )
( it )( would )( spy from a high place or watchtower )
( watch for shoals of fish )( look - out - for )( watch )
( you )( would )( spy from a high place or watch - tower )
( you would watch for shoals of fish )( look out for )
( watch )( to - by - for )( she - lookout )( she - watchtower )
( she - observatory )( she - look - out )( she - watch ).

λόγον ὃν αὐτὴ πρὸς αὑτὴν ἡ ψυχὴ διεξέρχεται περὶ ὧν ἂν σκοπῇ.
( Theaetetus 189ε )

wow - look at that stretched - out - rain - bow.

so maybe this would be like that,
a kind of looking - out and looking - into logoi
and here, herself - nom - towards - herself - accused
( the pros auten ) and turns towards whom ?

MOON:
towards( pros + acc )( upon )( against )( so as to face )( before -
in the presence of )( before - in the eyes of )( towards -
near - at - about a certain time )( in respect of )( touching )
( in view of )( in consequence of )( in relation to )
( in proportion to )( in comparison with )( between )
( according to )( in view of )( with the accompaniment of )

you( plural - accused )
( your - shes - accused )

( and )( pros + gen )( from )( on the side of )( towards )
( on the frontier towards )( before )( in the presence of )
( before the face of )( at the hands of )( in the direction of )
( in the eyes of )( in the sight of )( in the name of )( by )
( of your - she - genitive ),

πρὸς ὑμᾶς:

GAIA:
but to go through { every worry that weighs me }
towards my she - accused, from my she - genitive,
would be to go through every - thing - on
in - and - around the earth. we hope
the swan has on her ballet - walking - slippers ,

FLOWERS:
but still( otherwise )( at least )( yet )
( o - other - it - full )( o - other - its - full )
( o - other - shes - nom )( o other he )
( to - by - for )( other - she )

ἀλλ᾽

MELISSAN:
we would fly as a fuzzy cloud ! and O
most subtly - fragranced violets
we would dive —

FLOWERS:
in( within )( surrounded by )( in - under )
( equipped with )( on )( at )( by )
( in the number of )( amongst )
( in the presence of )( in their hands )
( within their reach or power )( with )
( in the eyes )( in respect of )( towards )
( in point of )( into )( both motion to
and position in )( fell . . . in it )
( from )( in the form of )( as )
( they are - we - being )( we - being - real )
( they are - we - happening )( they are - being
we - the fact )( we - the case )( really -
we - being - )( - in )( amongst them )

ἐν

MELISSAN:
and we are so many words !
we are drawn thirstily
by the scent

QUEEN BEE:
( to - )by( - for )the( shes )mellow( ripe )
( over - ripe )( soft )( pulpy )( ripe - shes )
( mild - shes )( shes - come to its crisis )
( more concocted - shes )( plump )( juicy )
( cooked by the sun ? )( ready to suppurate ? )
( kind )( gentle )( pet )( ripe melon )( ripe gourd )

ταῖς πεπείραις:

MELISSAN:
O me, they sound Ionian !
but do we hesitate
to —

FLOWERS:
but not( nor )( and not )( not even )( not at all )
( o - he - threshold )( entrance )( lintel ! )
( of a house )( threshold )( into a flower )
( the thresh - )( - hold between life and death )
( o - she - way )( road )( course )( channel ! )
( travelling )( journeying )( voyage )( ex -
pedition )( by land or water )( passageway )
( way )( manner )( intent )( method . . . )

οὐδέ

MELISSAN:
( crosses threshold swiftly
to the interior of flowers )

thank you, its lovely in here.
now that we have some privacy,
lets get down to brass tacks.

we want to hear all the juicy gossip.
lets talk about you - know - who.

FLOWERS:
( some )any( he - her - nom )one( body )( who ? )
( not a nothing )( not a nobody )( a somebody ? )

τις

MELISSAN:
dont act so innocent, O willful flowers ,
we know youre very close with him.
what feelings do you share ?

FLOWERS:
to love( feel affection )( the mutual love of parents
and children )( of the ruled people for a ruler )
( of a tutelary god for the people )( of a wheedling
demagogue )( of the love of dogs for their master )
( less frequently of husband and wife )( love
( of brothers and sisters )( love of friends )
( seldom of sexual love )( of a horse and mare )
( to be fond of )( show affection for )( to accept
gladly )( to be content or satisfied )( to bear -
with )( to be content )( to entreat )( to acquiesce ) .

στέργειν

MELISSAN:
hmmm . . . . . . . . . . . . mmm.
yet he would never touch it ( it -
you ) not due to lack of desire
but because he would only touch it

FLOWERS:
if( it )would be minded( have a mind )
( if it would wish )( if it would purpose )
( if it would choose )( if it would desire )
( that an - it - person shall do something )
( if it would be willing )( if it would be pre -
pared )( if it would be disposed )( in -
clined )( if it would be content )( to have
the heart )( if it would venture )( if it would
be able to )( if it would have the power )

( if it would give a dyad - answer )

if( it )would be willing( of consent
rather than desire )( if it would wish )
( if it would please )( if it would or will
or shall )( if it would be able )( if it would
maintain or hold )( delight in love )
( if it would ordain or decree )( if it would
be naturally disposed )( if it would
be wont or accustomed )( if it would
willingly )( gladly be its will )

ἂν ἐθέλοι

MELISSAN:
mmm. but it never would
because its an it ? or
how would it be willing - wishing ?
how would it be minded or desire ?

FLOWERS:
more( more - very )( more - exceedingly )
( rather )( more than )( more and more )
( him - flock of wool - accused )( him - tress
of hair - accused )( secret - meanings -
including - )( arm - pit )( apple )( white -
tailed )( white )( sneaky )( and under -
handed )( arm - pits are a dyad - place
for concealed weapons )

μᾶλλον

MELISSAN:
ah this is what tickles me about you.
we never knew flowers could conceal weapons,
or that they had dedicated arm - pits for that.

or do they ?

it would be the excitement of the chase
going deeper into the violet place
where it turns saffron to find out

FLOWERS:
( whether )( we are we )( or )( hi ! )( in truth )
( of a surety )( we - beingly )( although )( its speaking ) ,

ἢ

MELISSAN:
lets talk more about that.
you must have practiced she - dyad - its
a lot. whats the worst - case scenario
from your perspective ? what would
it - we not do ?

FLOWERS:
( o - dyad - he )( voc - nom - acc )
( of he - leader )( chief )( we )ego( being )
( we will exalt overmuch )

( ‘γὼ )

MELISSAN:
yeah - no - hmm - that would be
a betrayal of everything you said
you want from me.
so, tell me ,

what complex range of feelings has this practice
brought you? and remember
its for posterity so
be honest ,

FLOWERS:
( wonder, you ! )( marvel, you ! )
( admire ! )( be delighted ! )( feel envy, you ! )
( anger at ! )( bear a grudge ! )( be jealous, you ! )
( youre wondering )( youre admiring )
( wondering at )( delighted with )
( youre feeling envy )( bearing a grudge )
( youre jealous of )( youre angry at )
( we would wonder at )( we would admire )
( we would delight )( we would be delighted with )
( we would feel envy )( wed bear a grudge )
( wed be jealous of )( wed be angry at )
( we wonder at )( we admire )( we delight )
( we envy )( were jealous )( we anger )
( we grudge )( grudge, you ! )( we grudge )

( ‘γὼ )

//

( cont. in pt 2 )

from hymn to Apollo
Apologia
Odyssey XIV
Ekklesiazusai

hear and respond
heading home