Dogs

Nov 5, 2026 ∞

IX.vii. layers ( adding ) layers ( missing )

characters in the dialogue

GAIA, she - dyad earth.
ALPHA DUCK ( Ἀνὴρ Α ), a duck ( of duck - dyad ? ).
BETA DUCK ( Ἀνὴρ Β ), another duck ( of duck - dyad ? ).
KUKNEION, a ( she - dyad )( its ) swan.
TRAGOS, a goat.
ALPHA CRONE ( Γραῦς Α ), an old woman.
GIRL ( Νεᾶνις ), a girl.

GAIA:
youd hear me better with your { eyes closed }
maybe howl a little at the moon
spend some time outside the city.

ALPHA DUCK:
no( o he - lunar month - crescent moon - time of the month )
no( hims - )( no - country - districts )( no - common - folk )
( no - the commons )( no - taming - or - overpowering - mymind )way.

μὴ μηδαμῶς.

KUKNEION:
he doesnt want to get his period, we guess,
he doesnt like trees or bugs,
he doesnt want to live like common people
or at least, he doesnt want to feel common.
or to feel embarassed in front of the boss,

ALPHA DUCK:
for( we )fear( we are alarmed and anxious )
( we dread )not( o he - moon - crescent - time of the month )
and( indeed )beside( two - by - for )the( she )
lady - general( commander )( to - by - for )( the door
of the generals tent ),

(870) δέδοικα γὰρ μὴ καὶ παρὰ τῇ στρατηγίδι,

KUKNEION:
we are not terrified, o alpha duck
of a body - having - holding - its - she - cycle.

although these would be the fears
of nom - nom - men facing ego - death
and grasping at responsibility
for their actions,

ALPHA DUCK:
whenever( the - he - nom )( bro )( of she - bewilderment ? )
( of she - infatuation? )( she - blindness and delusion sent by
the gods ? )( rash actions ? )( mischief ? )( ill - fated - she )( - accused )
( of he - clansmen - acc )( o he - it - testing )( of hims - of hers - accused )
( we )would put( it )down( lay down )( as payment )
( offer as a prize )( dedicate )( deposit )

ὅταν κατατιθῶ,

KUKNEION:
but its not the worst thing
to be called a crazy woman
by clansmen. doing wrong
would be far worse than that.

so take a breath and let it out. quack a little.
youre an animal, why be terrified of losing control ?
we say let it go, alpha duck . why not ?

ALPHA DUCK:
( you )may lay claim( procure )( pretend )( affect )( profess )
( what doesnt belong to you )( it would profess )
( it would make over )( add )( and attach to )( it would win over )
( it would take to itself what doesnt belong to it )( it would pretend )
of the( hers - hims - its - gen )( used - needed )things( goods )
( property )( temple - treasures )( heirlooms )( money )( property )
( substance )( matters )( affairs )( monstrous ? )( merchandise )

προσποιῇ τῶν χρημάτων.

KUKNEION:
you dont have to be afraid, alpha duck
we dont want to steal your quack.
how could we steal what lives in you ?
whereas these are shared things,

TRAGOS:
these( its - voc - nom - acc )( to - by - for )( this - she )
( we )is( are )( to - by - for )you( plural ),

ταῦτ᾽ ἔστιν ὑμῖν,

GAIA:
we keep the earth in layers of myself.
so its encouraged to keep records
of your { mind wandering }
and to share it with a friend,

BETA DUCK:
( it was flowing )( flow, you ! )( it was swimming )
( swim, you ! )( it was spinning )( spin, you ! )
( it was piling up in heaps )( pile up heaps, you ! )

νὴ

KUKNEION:
it helps to say a little mantra
that can warm you up. it helps
to wake up before dawn
then let it flow wherever.
it can also help to make it a prayer,

BETA DUCK:
by the( him - accused )Zeus( through )( the she - dyad )
( its - voc - nom - acc )( o she - nom )( heavenly ) ,

τὸν Δία

KUKNEION:
then may your work be blessed.
then may your work be daimonic ,

BETA DUCK:
it(s needful )( you need )( need, you )( it needs )
( its needing )( its binding )( bind, you )( it binds )
( you bind )( to - by - for Zeus )must( we )be

δεῖ

KUKNEION:
you may grow and evolve
in the ways you say
even the simplest - seeming - same - things
over repetitions, so repeat mindfully,

BETA DUCK:
at least( knees? )then of some( it )machine( mechanema )
( subtle contrivance )( mechanical device )( engine of war )

γοῦν μηχανήματός τινος,

KUKNEION:
animals are the subtle machine.
beware automation, beware losing
your chance to remember her again.
beware the machine of war,
beware its desire for more ,

BETA DUCK:
in some( he - nom )any way at all
the( she - dyad )( its - neuter - things )
even( indeed )( we - )( its )( he - accused )( - beings )
( it - dyad )( its )( to - by - for - it )merchandise( temple - treasures )
( properties )( moneys )( substances )( things )( matters )( affairs )
( we )will have - and - hold( bear - carry - bring ),

ὅπως τὰ μὲν ὄντα χρήμαθ᾽ ἕξω,

KUKNEION:
but the temple - ship - we - being - dwelling - in ,
and she would be its only gold.
it wouldnt really work if you were grabby.

BETA DUCK:
but( to - by - for )these( its - hims )( by here )
of the( hers - hims - its - gen )kneading( and pressing
into a barley - cake )( to - by - for )( the )common( she )
( it )( would )( make common )( share )( communicate )
( you )( would )( undertake together )( make common cause )
( take counsel with )( consult )( communicate )
( we )will partake of( share in )( participate )
somehow( in any way at all )( we - )ego( - being ).

τοισδεδὶ
τῶν ματτομένων κοινῇ μεθέξω πως ἐγώ.

KUKNEION:
kneading sounds nice, yet its important
always to listen for the un - common - she,
and the she you havent yet heard,
and maybe the she nobodys heard,
and when in doubt, follow her lead.

BETA DUCK:
rightly( hims - straightly - accused )( youre setting straight )
( youre raising - up )( youre re - building )
( youre restoring to health and happiness )
( youre bringing it to a happy end )( success )
( flourishing )( to be right and true )( to exalt )( honor )
( to - by - for )( her - him )me at least
( it )comes to light( appears )( it rises and shines )
( like a fire )( like daybreak )( brightly ),

(875) ὀρθῶς ἔμοιγε φαίνεται:

KUKNEION:
it seems by me that we are setting straight,
not me, yet by me, it does feel good
some days, some days its hard, and its
important not to let the positive feelings
or bright - light - shining numb your senses
to the most important things ,

BETA DUCK:
( it - voc - nom - acc )( him - accused )must walk( by land )( by sea )
to the same place( it )( we )is( are )( will dine )( will sup )
( its - him - accused )will( young )be( ships )making( temple )a( dwelling )meal
( and )( it - voc - nom - acc )( him - accused )must not delay
( not destiny )( not always intending to do )( not hesitate )( must do ! )

βαδιστέον
ὁμόσ᾽ ἐστὶ δειπνήσοντα κοὐ μελλητέον.

KUKNEION:
beta duck, was that Yodas line from Star Wars ?
encouragement helps when you feel afraid,
but we hesitate appending necessity
to others, beta duck, or assuming that others
are in the same boat as me. our vessel
would be made of many different kinds of boats,
or at least many different animals,

TRAGOS:
O( we would be )men( voc - nom )Athenian
( O )( we would be )( men )( of the Politeia ),

ὦ ἄνδρες Ἀθηναῖοι,

GAIA:
it probably isnt a coincidence
that there and then { suddenly a draft }
the door of the generals tent opens
and out comes the ( she ) lady - general.
( the swan and the ducks commence
swimming around in circles )

ALPHA CRONE:
( which )( any - it )( voc - nom - acc )( why )wherefore
( somewhere )( anywhere )( somehow )haply
( at some time or other )( at any time )( in time past )
( in days of old )( formerly )( once upon a time )
( o - he - longing )( o - he - yearning )( o - he - regret )
( o - he - desire )( o - he - larkspur )( o - he - asphodel )
( o hes and she - nom )( to - by - for - him )( drunks )
( o - she - wine )( o - he - drinking - bout )( tavern - crawl )
( o - shes - nom )( to - by - for - her )( longing, desire for . . . )
( you )( would )( fly - hither )( fly - thither )( wings - borne )
( o - shes - nom )( flights )( to - by - for )( she - flight )
( o - shes - nom - nom )( sips )( to - by - for )( her - taste of wine )
( o - he )( o - shes - nom )( o its )( to - by - for - her )( drinks - ups )

τί ποθ᾽

KUKNEION:
her song so lush by such slight its,
her riverrun replenishes the lake,
and yet she still goes hungry,

ALPHA CRONE:
( o )( the )men( nom - nom )havent come( arent here )
( havent reached a point )( havent come back )( returned )
( to - by - for )( hims and its )( havent come )( arent here ) ?

τί ποθ᾽ ἅνδρες οὐχ ἥκουσιν;

KUKNEION:
dont worry ducks, shes hungry for men
but only nominative ones,
not ones like us,

TRAGOS:
( o dyad - she )( voc - nom - acc )( dyad - he )( voc - nom - acc )
( dyad - it )( voc - nom - acc )( its )( voc - nom - acc )
( her and him )( - accused )true( unconcealed )
( it wanders )( it roams )( outcast )( banished )( perplexed ),

τἀληθῆ,

GAIA:
for wanderers, outcasts, exiles, and the perplexed
she feels like { cool air caressing skin } in june
but she may feel like dead of winter
for men ( nom - nom ),

ALPHA CRONE:
but( o dyad - she )( o - she - nom )( period )( time of year )
( spring - summer - fall - winter )( prime of the year )( season )
( time of day )( interval )( lapse of time )( length of time )
( hours )( the fitting time )( the due season )( the bloom )
( o dyad - she )( o - she - nom )( part of a sacrificial victim )
( its looking )( its seeing )( its beholding )( its perceiving )due

KUKNEION:
how does she measure the season ?

ALPHA CRONE:
( if )( haply )theyre( being we )( its being we )
( were being we )( lo ! )( we are saying ),

KUKNEION:
what do shes ( nom ) do with men ( nom ) ?

ALPHA CRONE:
( o shes - nom )( nugget )( to - by - for )( her - nugget )( of gold ? )
( o shes - nom )( wrestling )( to - by - for )( her - wrestling )( battle ? )
( o shes - nom )( finest meal )( to - by - for )( her - supper )( finest dust ? )
( it would poise and sway and brandish )( it would shake lots )
( poise, you ! )( sway, you ! )( brandish, you ! )( be shaken shook ! )
( vibrate ! )( quiver ! )( quake ! )( dash along ! )long ago
( once upon a time )( of old )( of ancients )( of just now )

ὥρα δ᾽ ἦν πάλαι:

KUKNEION:
maybe thats how shes become smooth and powerful,
by offering up their noms as lots of its,

TRAGOS:
and( indeed )you( plural - accused )
( your she - accused )( of your gen - she )

καὶ ὑμᾶς

KUKNEION:
we begin with such mighty material,
we wouldnt want to waste any of it,

TRAGOS:
neither( it - voc - nom - acc )big( great )( large )
nor( it - voc - nom - acc )( him - accused )small
( little )( short )( unimportant )

οὔτε μέγα οὔτε μικρὸν

KUKNEION:
whats a common mistake of men ?

TRAGOS:
( he - nom )keeping hidden( away - off )from
( keeping back )( keeping concealed )( hiding away )
( losing from sight )( disappearing )( cryptic - in - full ),

ἀποκρυψάμενος

KUKNEION:
and whats one difference between
a secret ( man - nom ) teaching
and we - being ?

TRAGOS:
( we - )ego( - being )( we )( would )say( and speak )
( gather )( choose )( count, tell )( recount, tell over )
( repeat )( maintain and mean ),

ἐγὼ λέγω

KUKNEION:
yet in the most dyad - underhanded way ?
but this is the stubborness of a goat,
so it feels natural.

TRAGOS:
not even( he - nom )restricting itself( abstaining - from )
( avoiding )( shrinking from )( holding in undue awe )
( reducing its diet )( shrinking from )( avoiding )
( refraining from saying ).

οὐδ᾽ ὑποστειλάμενος.

GAIA:
but its not as easy for human men ( nom )
whose customs, habits, and written texts
would be set down { and then gone just as fast }.

ALPHA CRONE:
but( we - )ego( - being )
( o she - nom )having been plastered( poulticed )over
( moulded - )( made - )( formed - )( - downwards )( - against )
( fabricated - )( imagined - )( pretended - )( - in accord with )
( to - by - for )( it )white lead( crumb - morsel - muthos )
( delightful )( word - story ),

ἐγὼ δὲ καταπεπλασμένη ψιμυθίῳ

KUKNEION:
so she looks like an hors d oeuvre .
and she wants us ( its ) here to illuminate
her crown, and grace her body,

ALPHA CRONE:
( we )have made a stand( set up )( stirred up )( established )
( placed in the balance )( weighed )
and( indeed )saffron - coloured( it - voc - nom - acc )
( it - dyad )( would )( crown it with yellow ivy )
( you - dyad )( would )( crown it with yellow ivy )
( crown it with yellow ivy, you - dyad - both ! )
( it - dyad )( would weave it and wrap it in wool )
( weave it and wrap it in wool, you - dyad - both ! )
( 0 - she - nom )having( dressed in )put around itself,

ἕστηκα καὶ κροκωτὸν ἠμφιεσμένη

KUKNEION:
so that as non - human animals
human animals may leave
their noms behind
letting them be

ALPHA CRONE:
lazy( she - he - nom )( not working the ground )( lying idle )
( yielding no return )( free from toils )( lying fallow )( fruitless )
( he - shining - glistening - nom )( like a goose )( or a sleek ox )
( or swift - footed hounds )( feet flickering light )( o Argos . . . )

(880) ἀργός,

KUKNEION:
shining through beautiful beasts.
in such condition
what would be her reason to begin ?

ALPHA CRONE:
( o - she - nom )warbling( like a nightingale )some( it )
towards( so as to face )( in relation to )of myself( she - accused )
( it - voc - nom - acc )( musical )( limb )( song )( strain )tune,

μινυρομένη τι πρὸς ἐμαυτὴν μέλος,

KUKNEION:
so that it comes naturally and easily,

ALPHA CRONE:
( o she - dyad )( o she - nom )playing( like a child )
( dancing )( singing )( amorously )( hunting )
( jesting )( making fun )( playing )( she - dyad )

παίζουσα.

KUKNEION:
and as she plays, what does she hunt for ?

ALPHA CRONE:
how( in what way )would( we )embrace( encompass )( surround )
( catch )( grasp )( get possession of )( cover all around )
of( hers - hims - its )selves some( its )( or him - her - accused )
( its )( or him - accused )being( we )near - by( beside )
( its )( or him - accused )( passing - we - by ) ?

πῶς ἂν περιλάβοιμ᾽ αὐτῶν τινὰ
παριόντα;

KUKNEION:
can she sing a song to draw the its
and hers - and hims - accused ?

ALPHA CRONE:
( o - shes - nom )Muses( to - by - for )( she - music - song )
hither come( and go, you - plural ! )( hither you go and come )
( o he - eager - nom )( o hes - eager - eager - nom - nom )
( to - by - for )( eager - headlong - vigorous - hasty - him )
( o shes - passable - nom - nom )( o he - passable - nom )
( o - passable - its - nom - acc )( to - by - for )( passable - she )
( o its )( come and go )( and go and come )( mushrooms )

( shroomy - shroomy - shroomy - shrooms )
( come )( and go )( and come )( and go )( and come )

upon( up to )my( its )( of you )( him - accused )( it )mouth
( my organ of - it - utterance )( my organ of - it - speech )
( my - it - river - mouth )( my - it - outlet )( my - it - entrance )
( my - kissing - jaws )( my - it - face )( to - it - my - face ),

Μοῦσαι δεῦρ᾽ ἴτ᾽ ἐπὶ τοὐμὸν στόμα,

KUKNEION:
what do we call that kind of song ?

ALPHA CRONE:
( o )( it )little( poor - limb )melody( song - tune )( voc - nom - acc )
( o shes - nom )finding( discovering )( devising )( inventing )
( getting )( gaining )( fetching )( earning )some( it )( ditty )
of the( shes - hes - its - gen )Ionian( shes - hes - its - gen ).

μελύδριον εὑροῦσαί τι τῶν Ἰωνικῶν.

KUKNEION:
that kind of music, and idleness,
and softness and drunkenness
in general ( in generosity ) its not really
the best for guardians, or for self -
defense, we heard somewhere, o goat ,

TRAGOS:
and( indeed )further( to - by - for - you ? )
( we )( have seen and thereby )know
( its - voc - nom - acc )( swelling - puffy - tumours )

nearby( at a short distance )( close at hand )( loosely speaking )
( close quarters )( impending )( coming and drawing near )
( closely connected )( approximately )( more or less )

that( it - nom - acc )
( to - by - for )these( him - it )selves
( we )become hateful( incur hatred )
( to - by - for )( these )( him - it )( selves ),

καίτοι οἶδα σχεδὸν ὅτι αὐτοῖς τούτοις ἀπεχθάνομαι,

GAIA:
we are unbothered by hatred from him - it selves
but you arent, hungering for men,
and its and hers and hims - accused
to crown us with wreathes of saffron.
so { you join me under the blanket }
and the alpha crone becomes the girl ,

GIRL:
now even( indeed )me( her - him - accused )
( she - dyad )( o she - nom )peeping - out( stooping
sideways )( casting side - glances )( so shy ! )( so subtle )
( bowing - down )( as beast of burden )( horns -
bent - forward )( oopsie ! )( head - down )( alongside )
( you would )come before( anticipate )( outrun )( towards - beside )

νῦν μέν με παρακύψασα προὔφθης

KUKNEION:
oh this seems to be her mode of seduction ,
but is it really still her in there ?

GIRL:
O( we would be )( she - dyad )( its )( o she - nom )rotten
( putrid )( diseased )( carious )( pickled )( stale )( rancid )
( withered )( filthy )( worn - out )( in rags )( old wine ) ( wink ! )

ὦ σαπρά.

KUKNEION:
thats impressive, we couldnt even tell !
o goat, how would you tell whats what
when its so easy to change appearances ?

TRAGOS:
the( he - nom )( it - voc - nom - acc )

and( indeed )( it - voc - nom - acc )sign( symbol )
( token )( proof )( symptom )( demonstrative )

that( it - nom - acc )
( she - dyad )( he - dyad )( it - dyad )( voc - nom - acc )
( its - voc - nom - acc )( him and her - accused )truth( unconcealed )
( it would wander )( roam )( outcast )( banished )( perplexed )

( we )( would )say( and speak )( gather )( choose )
( pick up )( count, tell )( recount )( tell over )
( repeat )( maintain and mean )

( lewd ? )( he - dyad )( it - dyad )( voc - nom - acc )
( of him - it - gen )( lewd ? )

ὃ καὶ τεκμήριον ὅτι ἀληθῆ λέγω

GAIA:
but we dont really wander
banished, nor are we perplexed
( and never lewd ) { and we wonder }
what would be a sure sign of we - being - we ?

GIRL:
but( you )were expecting( foreboding )( suspecting )
( thinking )( supposing )( believing )
( you were alone )( left alone )( living in solitude )
( forsaken )( to be a solitary instance )( to have a special force )
( of an )( it - gen )( egg )
( she - nom )( she - gen )( she - accused )desolate( lonely )
( solitary )( reft of )( void of )( empty of she - gen )
( she - undefended )( she - default - judgment - against )
( you will be left lonely )( you will be going alone )

(885) ᾤου δ᾽ ἐρήμας

KUKNEION:
only a mother can make an egg.
but you were expecting

GIRL:
not( she - gen )( we - )being near - by( to be present
so as to help )( so as to stand by )( being ready or at hand )
( she - gen )( being maimed - mutilated - incapacitated )
in this( hither and thither )( here and there )( place ),

οὐ παρούσης ἐνθάδε

KUKNEION:
of you, your generosity
without any expectation of return.

GIRL:
of me( him - her - gen )( my - him - it - gen )
( you were vomiting and throwing up )( with a feather ? )
( vomit and throw up )( a flood of words, you ! )
will - gather - in( to reap )( as fruit or crop )
( stripping an unwatched vineyard ),

ἐμοῦ τρυγήσειν

KUKNEION:
of you, your appetite
for everything that she produced.

GIRL:
and( indeed )will( to )bring - upon - itself( closely - apply )
( draw to itself )( attach to itself )( bring over to its side )
( embrace )( and store up for many years in advance )
some( it - voc - nom - acc )( him - her - accused )

καὶ προσάξεσθαί τινα

KUKNEION:
of you, your hospitality
and stranger - friendship.
and among animals
piety sounds like this,

GIRL:
( they sing and crow and hoot and croak and twang
and whistle and ring )( they chant )( they sing
and praise and celebrate )( o shes - nom )
( o she - nom )( to - )by( - for )( she - he - and - it )
singing( and crowing and hooting and croaking
and twanging and whistling and ringing and chanting )

ᾁδουσ᾽:

KUKNEION:
and animals make music readily
as its their nature. of you,
how you reminded us of this,

TRAGOS:
and( indeed )that( it - nom - acc )

this( o she - nom )( we )is( are )
the( she - nom )( diabole )( o she - thrown - through )
( the slander )( accusation )charge
the( she - nom )( it was vomiting and throwing up )
( vomit it and throw - it - up, you ! )
( o she - nom )mine,

καὶ ὅτι αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ διαβολὴ ἡ ἐμὴ

GAIA:
but the goat threw - through a nom
something that could be seized and carried
and { how long until you notice } and seize
and carry it back inside with you ?

GIRL:
but( we - )ego( - being )
if( its we )( theyre we )( were we )( lo ! )( were saying )

( o )this( it - voc - nom - acc )

( you )( would )do( accomplish )( as some great thing )
( you would offer sacrifice )( perform mystical rites )
( you would look )( see )( perceive )( behold )( this it )
( we )( would )will sing( crow )( hoot )( croak )
( twang )( whistle )( ring )( chant ).

ἐγὼ δ᾽ ἢν τοῦτο δρᾷς ἀντᾴσομαι.

KUKNEION:
and singing moves the world,
the natural and the divine,
and the city too,

GIRL:
for if( you come and go )( you are we )( to - by - for Zeus )
( it was putting to flight )( giving chase )( hunting )
( put to flight, you ! )( give chase, you ! )( hunt, you ! )
( o shes - heavenly - nom - nom )( o its - heavenly - nom - acc )
( o he )( heavenly )( o she - heavenly - nom )
( to - by - for )( heavenly - her )( you will set the warp
in the loom )( you will begin the web )( on which account )

through( the him - gen )crowd( throng - mass - mob )
( populace - popular assemblies - multitude )( annoyance - trouble )
( youre moving it )( disturbing it )( rolling it )( troubling it )
( move - disturb - roll )( sweep - it - away )( trouble it, you ! )

this( it - voc - nom - acc )( we )is( are )
the( to - by - for )( hims and its )gazing - at( beholding )
( with a sense of wonder )( contemplating )( viewing )
( as onlookers - bystanders - spectators ),

κεἰ γὰρ δι᾽ ὄχλου τοῦτ᾽ ἐστὶ τοῖς θεωμένοις,

KUKNEION:
you can do it with a dialogue ,
you can do it with a lyric poem ,
you can do it with a funny play ,

GIRL:
( samely )equally( youre uniting )( the same hims - accused )
( o he - viper - dyad - nom - accused )( to - by - for )( viper - him )
( it )has - and - holds( bears - carries - brings )( you have too )
( it makes room for another )( it gives way )( it advances )
( it throws up earth to form a mound )( it showers darts )
( it lets fall )( it lets drop )( it pours out and lets it flow )
( and it snows )( and it sheds )( and it scatters )

( it - voc - nom - acc )( him - accused )delightful
( and pleasant )some( it - voc - nom - acc )

and( indeed )( it - voc - nom - acc )( him - accused )comedic.

ὅμως ἔχει τερπνόν τι καὶ κωμῳδικόν.

KUKNEION:
and thats the slander unconcealed,
true - she - thrown - through,
she - diabole,

TRAGOS:
and( indeed )the( she - dyad )( its )( voc - nom - acc )
( she - dyad )( its )( o she - nom )responsible
( culpable )( the accused )( the culprit )( the cause )
( she - dyad )( its )( responsibility - guilt - blame )
( accused - the fault - the cause - the motive - the case )
this( she - dyad - accused )( its - voc - nom - acc )
( it )( we )is( are ).

καὶ τὰ αἴτια (24β) ταῦτά ἐστιν.

GAIA:
but from this and its effects
{ a layer of fabric } or an animals skin
or a girlish game would not protect you,
so you appear as the lady - general again,

ALPHA CRONE:
( this )( it - dyad )( voc - nom - acc )
( to - )by( - for )this( it - him )

( you )converse( dia - legein )
( select - separate - examine )( pick - out )
( pick - open - ways )( practice dialectic )
( discussion )( discourse )( talk )
( lecture )( use a dialect or language )
( speak - thoroughly - through )

( and )be off( go away, you ! )( depart ! )( withdraw ! )( turn - out ! )
( succeed ! )( make room for another - off - away - and - back - again ! )
( it - voc - nom - acc )( o him )( will - going - off )( and succeeding . . . )
( it - voc - nom - acc )( o him )( will have gone off )( succeeded . . . )

(890) τούτῳ διαλέγου κἀποχώρησον:

KUKNEION:
and if we would be the evidence ,

TRAGOS:
and( indeed )if now
( it - dyad )( he - dyad )

( voc - nom - acc )( suffering )( permitting )
( leaving them alone to perish )( conceding )
( allowing )( letting alone )( letting be )( dismissed )

and if( bow wow )back again( hereafter )( in turn )( anew )
( you - plural )would( will )seek( - after )( inquire into )
( investigate )( examine )( require )( demand )( desire )
these( she - dyad - accused )( its - voc - nom - acc ),

καὶ ἐάντε νῦν ἐάντε αὖθις ζητήσητε ταῦτα,

GAIA:
and if we would be the judge ,
all of our costumes go { missing } .

KUKNEION:
but were unbothered by nudity
nonetheless.

from hymn to Apollo
Apologia
Odyssey XIV
Ekklesiazusai

layers

( . . . )

KUKNEION:
( large puddles have detained me )
( tonight )( but you left a light on )
( to see was a relief )( still walking )

( . . . )

ground feels

going slow
to get there last
to do it real.
bird and bees
feels that heal
the moon and Olympian 6 ?

does Olympian 6 fit in the burrito ?

victory burrito without burrito race ?

( having - holding - pie )
( flying )( still )( floating )
( scratching )( grazing )

( . . . )

( we miss you but ) not yet the hour

yes

didnt measure yet but yes

still greenish about an explosion

anomalies around somebodys name ,

but the moon is never wrong
and a blacker mulberry
goes willingly

down
it

( . . . )

still not yet

thank you o hours
for bringing - on their ripeness
thank you somebody else
for purple - stained - sheets

( . . . )

fan fiction

sitting under the castle ceiling fan
a swan goes slightly wild
for the master of horses
but honestly ( wild swan
still swan ) each neck swivel
amazing to behold ( heart flutters )
and my real question would be

which one for you makes
a better lover ?

they may have that conversation
( we dream about a watchtower )
for us . . . my watchtower calls

but we dont have to choose
we get them all

( . . . )

( hurry - up )( nom - nom )

Oct 27, 2026 ∞

IX.iii. ( its a swans ) warm ( welcome ) ( pt. 1 ) ( the sex )

KUKNEION( OF A SWAN ):
and yet { we shiver } in the distant glitter,
the fortress of our heart shagged with ice.

( a knock at the door ) ( trick or treat ? )

this bleak house hollowed out of stone, the mist
my breath, my silken - white diaphanous
nightgown, toes darkly webbed, at least by half.

( how else to go both barefoot and en pointe ? )

be still, we pause before the show. and have
been cold for a long time. for the listener

( another knock )

who listens in the snow, nothing herself,
beholds nothing that is not there, in fair
proportion to the nothing that we are.

( a third knock at the door )

O one must have a mind ( - outfit ) of winter
to admit the heraldess of a new she-dyad,

( as KUKNEION swans over behind a red
velvet curtain, to peek out and listen )

KERUKAINA( SHE-MESSENGER ):
O( we would be )( every )all( whole )( men )citizens !

KUKNEION( OF A SWAN ):
( speaking from behind the curtain )
O ( we would be ) whole ( these ) ( its ) citizens too,
O we would be { silver and copper } and gold
( of course ) in all the best ratios, O we
would be an animal of written words,

KERUKAINA( SHE-MESSENGER ):
for now in this way these( things )have-and-hold( viper-dyad )
( viper-dyad has-and-holds these things )( by viper-dyad )
( you hold yourself to these things )( and to the viper-dyad )
( it pours )( lets it flow )( sheds tears )( spreads waves )
( piles and heaps up )( issues forth )( it sheds ),

KUKNEION( OF A SWAN ):
( speaking to myself ) ( yet quietly )
as a rush of something it lets go the snake,
its sibilants and plosives in my ear,
the tingle up my spine, o passing near, away,

KERUKAINA( SHE-MESSENGER ):
( you plural — )make room( give way, retire )
( be oppressed by weight, overpowered, hard-pressed )
( hurry and be eager )immediately for the( she )general
( the she-door of the generals tent )( the she - flag - ship ),

KUKNEION( OF A SWAN ):
( speaking to many myselfs ) ( yet quietly )
as we plural really are of many minds,
theres something in me nervous and afraid
but something else inside here spoken craves
a kind of weight, not just of feathers white,
and not just of this sensuous curtain,
and isnt this exactly what my dreams of,

KERUKAINA( SHE-MESSENGER ):
in order that by you( plural )the( she )fortune( chance )
( to - by - for )( men )( casting and )obtaining by lots
would show( point out, tell, declare, explain )
( you would - will muse upon, ponder, consider,
contrive, perceive, observe, guard, beware )
according( downwards - over - against )as each( he - it )man( dyad )
whithersoever( you - plural )would( will )make a meal;

KUKNEION( OF A SWAN ):
and its important and official me.
my me at least would love to have a meal,
my other me would love to be a meal,
my other me to live well through the feast.

its always nice when we can find a balance.
but looking around at my place here
its a sort of empty and severe stone castle,

but theres plenty of floor to go around,
doesnt it seem like floor enough to share ?

KERUKAINA( SHE-MESSENGER ):
as the( o she )tables( dining tables )( tables
dedicated to the gods )( money-changers
or counters )( banks )( she bankers )at least
they( we )are( o women )heaping - up( to - by - for )( her heaping up )
of( women, men, things )good( men, things )all
and( indeed )( women )preparing( alongside )( women ),

KUKNEION( OF A SWAN ):
O appreciation - ship of all good things,
and women alongside women, that sounds safe,

dont we enjoy preparing with women, we ask myself ?
and my cat, rubbing against my ankles, replies
meow ? and oh, how sweet. it wants permission.

as long as we dont take my white wings off ?
or unlace these satin ribbons, cross by cross . . .

KERUKAINA( SHE-MESSENGER ):
and( she )couches( to be laid )( lie down, you )
of goats-hair and( indeed )of carpets and rugs
( o women )piling up( pressing )( cramming full ),

KUKNEION( OF A SWAN ):
with my neck as lithe and long and curving as an S,
sometimes my head gets knotted in itself.
but nobodys making assumptions here,
we cant say what it means by cramming full,
by pleasure or by pain, or can we ?

KERUKAINA( SHE-MESSENGER ):
( theyre )mixing-together( to - by - for )( hims
and its mixing )( the )( him )( wine )vessel,
the( o women )perfumers have stood in a row,
the( its )( she - dyad )( it - dyad )slices of fish
are being fanned( for raising the fire ),

KUKNEION( OF A SWAN ):
with unpredictable results, but whats
in here is getting hot despite the chill,
my heartbeat flutters like a little fan.
we imagine, could it really lead to danger ?

KERUKAINA( SHE-MESSENGER ):
the( he )hares( sea slugs )( birds with rough - feathered
feet )( to - by - for the hare )are being impaled
( crucified )( fixed on a spit )( transfixed ),

KUKNEION( OF A SWAN ):
theres only one way that sounds good to me,
we should admit. but now it seems too late
for prohibition, as were already feeling it,
its giving me a deep tissue massage,
my feet, that this would be its eucharist,

KERUKAINA( SHE-MESSENGER ):
the( its )round( offering )cakes are being baked
( softened )( ripened )( matured )( digested )
( nursed )( brooded over )( gorging themselves ),

KUKNEION( OF A SWAN ):
until around the hearth its gotten rather wet,
its won, but wait, not yet, O feast of animals,
who would protect this place, once we let you in ?

KERUKAINA( SHE-MESSENGER ):
( the )( o he )crowns( wreaths )( surrounding circling walls )
are being plaited( twined )( twisted )( braided )( devised ),
( the )sweetmeats( dried fruit )are roasting( the sweetmeats ),
( the )( she )earthen pots( of her earthen pot )of pulses( lentils )
( dal )( etnous )( yet - nous )( still - thinking - thinking - thinking )
( theyre )simmering( stewing )the( shes )youngest( nom - nom ),

ὦ πάντες ἀστοί, νῦν γὰρ οὕτω ταῦτ᾽ ἔχει,
(835) χωρεῖτ᾽ ἐπείγεσθ᾽ εὐθὺ τῆς στρατηγίδος,
ὅπως ἂν ὑμῖν ἡ τύχη κληρουμένοις
φράσῃ καθ᾽ ἕκαστον ἄνδρ᾽ ὅποι δειπνήσετε:
ὡς αἱ τράπεζαί γ᾽ εἰσὶν ἐπινενησμέναι
ἀγαθῶν ἁπάντων καὶ παρεσκευασμέναι,
(840) κλῖναί τε σισυρῶν καὶ δαπίδων †νενασμέναι†,
κρατῆρα συγκιρνᾶσιν, αἱ μυροπώλιδες
ἑστᾶσ᾽ ἐφεξῆς, τὰ τεμάχη ῥιπίζεται,
λαγῷ᾽ ἀναπηγνύασι, πόπανα πέττεται,
στέφανοι πλέκονται, φρύγεται τραγήματα,
(845) χύτρας ἔτνους ἕψουσιν αἱ νεώταται.

KUKNEION( OF A SWAN ):
with all of this yet fore - the - play ? o me
( my circumspecter self arrives at this )
do you think they really eat it, like( nom - nom ) ?
but thought reminds me its a natural process,

so as never to be bored, dead, or ungracious,
we would welcome-in this, its she-heraldess.
but here comes my hab(r)itual r(h)esistance,
cause its a seemly thing that thinkers do.

and we want more on their relationships,
between the hims and hers, the hims and its,
the its and these she-dyads, new, if ours
were to receive this company some wrote.

as { he lives by the river } blue, yet its
still hard to hold the three - foot canter still,
and { shes born of the bog } beautys un-will
by bodys vessel brewed in brackish muck,

KERUKAINA( SHE-MESSENGER ):
but Smoios( to - by - for )( you - know - whos )( mini - me )
in( to )herselves having - and - holding
( they throw and heap up earth )( they bury )
( the fem - accused )equipment( garment )of a horse,

the( it - things )( she - dyad )of the women
( it )purges - through( cleanses thoroughly )
( youre being purged )( the she - dyad )
( the )cups( bowls )( of the women )( by its tongues ? )

Σμοῖος δ᾽ ἐν αὐταῖς ἱππικὴν στολὴν ἔχων
τὰ τῶν γυναικῶν διακαθαίρει τρύβλια.

KUKNEION( OF A SWAN ):
of course we want to let them in, swiftly,
and yet were occupied by dubious hints.
such as, wherefore equipment of the horse,
when its a swan behind my drawn curtain ?

such as { his hair is ash and silver } and though
handsome, by now seems hollow, brittle, old, eh ?
such as { her curls a coppery glow } seems warm
though every metals prone to flashing cold,

( meanwhile stuff lying everywhere, my notes
here, squiggly brackets and parentheses, there
the valley - cum - palace looks a mess ) but guess
their golden-locks to lasting happiness ?

and whats a pretty verb for how they wed ?

KERUKAINA( SHE-MESSENGER ):
but Geron( the old man )( prize )makes( chorei )room
( for another )( gives way )( goes and comes )
for( the )( she - accused )shawl - of - wool
( blanket )( wedding - mantle )( you make room )
( you give way )( you come and go )

and( indeed )( the he - dyad )ashen( dusty )feet
having - and - holding( he - dyad )( ashen - dusty - feet ),
( he - nom )laughing - aloud( in their midst )
along( in common )with( the )( he - it )other youth,

Γέρων δὲ χωρεῖ χλανίδα καὶ κονίποδε
ἔχων, καχάζων μεθ᾽ ἑτέρου νεανίου:

KUKNEION( OF A SWAN ):
they make love sound like easy laughter then,
and letting in may make it really so,
but of appetites of men we grow aware.
and would they even stop if it said no ?

so draw this curtain round me everywhere,
my dance of swan, the wood walks into me,
my little-red, my horses - riding - hood,
its me on her, my her on it, the sex —

such as { his eyes are the colour of moss }
while it swaggers in like a rolling stone,
such as { hers like lake water blue } reflect
but may project only my pleasures back

at this, its they ( the her ) ( the him ) for real ?

KERUKAINA( SHE-MESSENGER ):
but( the )( she - nom )felt slipper( its let him in )
( he - nom )( stepping - lightly )( in )( upon )( a ship )
( is )placed( laid down )( set before )( in repose )

KUKNEION( OF A SWAN ):
he looks at her, she looks at him,

KERUKAINA( SHE-MESSENGER ):
and( indeed )( the )( he - nom )threadbare cloak
( he + she )( nom )( practiced - old-hand - rogue )
( the he - nom )( rubbing )( spending )( grinding -
out )( of worn and beaten )( following )( paths )
( he - being )thrown( cast )( hurled )( tossed about )

towards( - upon - against )( so as to face )( in con-
sequence of )( in relation to )these( its - accused ),

KUKNEION( OF A SWAN ):
so lets imagine for the sake of argument,
my hands have lost their treaty with the door,
my feet have lost their contact with the floor,
its face - to - face with its accused, what more,

KERUKAINA( SHE-MESSENGER ):
( you - plural )make room( make way! )( come
and go! )( it makes way )( it comes and goes )

as the( man - nom )the( she - accused )barley - cake
( he - nom )bearing( carrying )( conveying )( enduring )
( suffering )( fetching )( producing )( causing )( paying due )
( they had made )( it )has made a stand( thick cake ),

(850) ἐμβὰς δὲ κεῖται καὶ τρίβων ἐρριμμένος.
πρὸς ταῦτα χωρεῖθ᾽, ὡς ὁ τὴν μᾶζαν φέρων
ἕστηκεν:

KUKNEION( OF A SWAN ):
O shes been mixed, fermented, baked, reborn,
to let him in stirs dread, and yet hers joins,
and loves a cake, spake oven of my loins,

as { he smells like a burning church } and how
we would unseat the flame from elder wood,
{ and she of flowers of marsh } as sweet the bloom
when in doom she lets linger softest air.

but still, my swan without assent. wings carried
by this, the bakers baker, half-way back to bed,
his payment stood, a tricky sleep, he slips
by me, its she - accused,

KERUKAINA( SHE-MESSENGER ):
but still the( she - accused )jaws
( you - plural )( are opening )open - through,

ἀλλὰ τὰς γνάθους διοίγνυτε.

KUKNEION( OF A SWAN ):
its true, so ope my jaws, open - me - through.
and now ( o my ) light disappears under the red
felt blankets of oblivions delight
to bed, to wed, the feast, her last mens might
as all the stage comes in — good night, good night.

from hymn to Apollo
Apologia
Odyssey XIV
Ekklesiazusai

silver and copper

warm

Oct 14, 2026 ∞

IX. i. fingers ( of a goat ) burned ( by her shady bed ) of nettles

ADEIMANTOS: ( we are awoken by-from-under sleep )

o its alright, ma. hineni, hinen —

ϊ , , , Ι , , , ? ( or ) ? , , , . , , , ϊ

we try to pick your brain ( from yawning )-

( by )-( to pink alert ) we aim to warm your heart,

SOKRATES: that( whatever - it )even(-indeed )you( plural ),

ὅτι μὲν ὑμεῖς,

OUTIS: there( where )( hither and thither )

( he sets out )( he starts )( start there, you )

( he comes and goes )( come and go there )

( present, you, return )( they are )( he is )

our many( men )even( indeed )( they )killed

( i - we killed )( to-by-for )( the )sharp( keen - acute -

pointed )( the-)(-he-)copper-bronze( weapon )( coin ),

ἔνθ᾽ ἡμέων πολλοὺς μὲν ἀπέκτανον ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ,

ADEIMANTOS: o why would we, with nobody, start there,

where we ( alleged ) murdered many men

into- and for- and by-man-made metals,

that seems the worst idea. unless uh-oh

would even we ( just a little ) belong to them?

( man-killers? )

SOKRATES: O( we would be )Athenian( city )men,

( O )( we would be )( men )( of the Politeia ),

ὦ ἄνδρες Ἀθηναῖοι,

OUTIS: but( they )lead up( take inland )( the )living( men )

( i - we carry by the sea )( conduct )( lift up )

( lead up )( as sacrifice )( the living men ),

( to )work at( make, do, perform )( to-by-for )them

( to-by-for )force( constraint, necessity, compulsion )

( violence, punishment )( by lash or leash on throat ),

τοὺς δ᾽ ἄναγον ζωούς, σφίσιν ἐργάζεσθαι ἀνάγκῃ.

ADEIMANTOS: by sacrificial anima of course.

by violence make uneasy with myself,

their punishment make our comportment worse,

hung star, starker than midnight versus horse.

( its all of a piece ) we come and go by you

( to find reassurance ) a torch

SOKRATES: ( you have )suffered( paschein )

( have had done to you )( paid the penalty )( been ill )

( by )from(-under )( his )my( him-)accusers

( prosecutors )( betrayers )( my public-speakers down-

against ),

πεπόνθατε ὑπὸ τῶν ἐμῶν κατηγόρων,

OUTIS: never( self )theless( to-by-for )me Zeus himself

in(-to )my phrenes( heart, mind, breast, midriff )

thus( in this way )made( created )( wrote )( poetried )

( the )perception( noema, thought, purpose, design ),

αὐτὰρ ἐμοὶ Ζεὺς αὐτὸς ἐνὶ φρεσὶν ὧδε νόημα

ποίησ᾽—

ADEIMANTOS: o heart, that we desire to see the world.

even my mere-cautious-me desires to see

at least ( just a little ) more, whole earth, of what

else can you show to me, by us, of what

SOKRATES: ( i - we )( havent seen )( do )nt know,

οὐκ οἶδα:

OUTIS: as( we wished we )should( have )die(-d )

and( indeed )met( pursued )( encountered )

my( of himself - itself )destiny in Egypt,

( as they would owe to die )( indeed )( to ply )

( to wield )( to practice )( to apply )( to govern )

( to administer )( to haunt )( to frequent )

( to encounter )( to cope with )( to face )

( the destiny )( of himself )( in the Nile river )

( in the mythical king )( in Aiguptos )

( of the vulture - goat )( backwards - below ),

ὡς ὄφελον θανέειν καὶ πότμον ἐπισπεῖν

(275) αὐτοῦ ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ:

ADEIMANTOS: ooh his Egyptian scuff ( shivers ) tempts me enough.

( a lot more prepositions this time, ριγητ? )

( and more galactic gender acrobatics ) ( interstellar jelly )

but my oligen me speaks thus, handcuffs

( about things better left alone ),

SOKRATES: but( we-)i(-being )then( therefore )

and( indeed )himself

( by )from( under )himself

forgot( lost thought of )my slight( me ),

ἐγὼ δ᾽ οὖν καὶ αὐτὸς ὑπ᾽ αὐτῶν ὀλίγου ἐμαυτοῦ ἐπελαθόμην,

OUTIS: for yet now( more )misery

( woe, evil, destruction, mischief, bane )

received( to welcome )( entertain )( admit )

( allow )( give ear to )me,

ἔτι γάρ νύ με πῆμ᾽ ὑπέδεκτο—

ADEIMANTOS: ( but we go poking ) vulnerable earth,

and when nobody sets the woken scene,

it sounds hospitable, his thinking-dream,

he least of sorrows, sings green shelterly. al-

though my other me seems not that into it,

yet using as receptacles excuse

that alls according to the big mans plan

and slips the noose over his horns,

SOKRATES: in this way persuasive

( plausible )( specious )( credible )

( producing illusion )( true to nature )

( creduous )( obedient )( docile )

( we - i - they )were speaking

( the lament )( song of mourning )( elegy ),

οὕτω πιθανῶς ἔλεγον.

OUTIS: neverthe( self )less away( apart-from )( sprung - from )( my she-)head

( i - we )put( the )well-made( she-)helm

( the she-)( shameless - unabashed )( dog-skin )

and( indeed )( the )shield( a goats - hair - sackcloth )

( to-by-for )( my dyad-man-)(-arms-)shoulders,

αὐτίκ᾽ ἀπὸ κρατὸς κυνέην εὔτυκτον ἔθηκα

καὶ σάκος ὤμοιϊν,

ADEIMANTOS: so we separate herself from me

( and hurt myself ) his lease, my deed, but my least

he says her constellation is well-made. and neverthe( self )-

less now, that we would be broken and lame,

would we be shielded by this goat-less-thing,

to-by-for its shame, no one, his human frame,

SOKRATES: and( yet )further( indeed )( to-by-for )( you )

( o she-true )( o he-true )( unconcealed )

( the )true( neuter-it )( unconcealed )at least

as( the )word(-song )( to )speak

no one( nobody )( they )have spoken,

καίτοι ἀληθές γε ὡς ἔπος εἰπεῖν οὐδὲν εἰρήκασιν.

OUTIS: but( the )tree( shoot )( stem )( trunk )

( oar )( mast )( beam )( plank )( shaft )( spear )

( i - we - they )threw out( out - out -)outward

( cast out of )( my )hand,

( cast out, you )( throw out, you )( send forth )( let fall ),

δόρυ δ᾽ ἔκβαλον ἔκτοσε χειρός:

ADEIMANTOS: and our ( fingers burned ) as though by nettles.

and sometimes sacrifice sounds almost good,

or maybe therapeutic by my hoof,

or maybe itch a bunch of hearty greens,

( he muses as hes led up to the mount )

( as maybe we just want to put grief down )

( . . . )

and better burning me than herself maim,

( . . . )

( for which hes ready ) ( for which we trans-

substantiate, to kill: to green, the flame )

from hymn to Apollo

Apologia

Odyssey XIV

fingers burned

Oct 3, 2026 ∞

tiny lines ( green glades ) warm bodies

ADEIMANTOS: o dear Herakles, its very strange ( we are )

as all the dreams it seemed were hers, to keep

under the deepness of Kalupsos veil,

begin re-surfacing, warmth from below.

as of their own billow, yet familiar.

and once before, he sent me to fetch Pindar,

like busting-out some long-forgotten gramps,

another little ( fuck the end goal ) act,

becoming his own victory wreath in fact.

does somebody not-at-all fawn on Kalupso?

PINDAR: but if someone within

( they gave in )( gave up )( gave way )( surrendered )( yield )

( deals-out )( dispenses )( pays out )holds( hoards )( you hoard )

( to-by-for )( a dyad-glade )hidden( secret, clandestine )wealth

( riches, treasure ),

εἰ δέ τις ἔνδον νέμει πλοῦτον κρυφαῖον,

ADEIMANTOS: but only playing music with real men,

PINDAR: but( while )falling-upon( meeting )( attacking )( he )laughs

( delights )( you would laugh )( to-by-for )others,

(100) ἄλλοισι δ᾽ ἐμπίπτων γελᾷ,

ADEIMANTOS: as for the third time ( fuck the end goal ),

PINDAR: ( the )( she- )soul( life, spirit, self )( to-by-for )Hades,

( he )( will be accomplishing )achieving( its )end( of ends )

( of ones having reached their end )not

ψυχὰν Ἀΐδᾳ τελέων οὐ

ADEIMANTOS: so sneaky with his line breaks to

PINDAR: show-forth( tell, declare )( make-known )( perceive, observe )

( expectations, beliefs, reputations, glories )( the soul,

life, spirit, self )( he )seeming( far away from )

( expectation, belief, reputation )glory without,

φράζεται δόξας ἄνευθεν.

ADEIMANTOS: thats him with most of the guts spilled out.

and if you try to put the guts back in,

a simpler shadow, but almost the opposite of him,

attempted facial reconstruction, or

the outer he-hand-in manually dis-

contains the inner whole?

PINDAR: but if anyone hoards hidden wealth( green glades )within,

while marking others( whats? )with laughter( derision? ),

they dont perceive( nor show )the soul, without

a reputation, achieves its end( un-seemingly )in Hades.

ADEIMANTOS: but hm, couldnt it also be,

PINDAR: the soul, without

an expectation, achieves its end( en-gloriously )by Hades,

ADEIMANTOS: but o, these leave me so many questions

exposed. holding this small yet manly creature

in my hands, he wont stay still, so actively alone

or agonizing, or does he host our secret club

for brunch? how would you translate him?

HERAKLES: and( indeed )once( o drinkin-drunk )he sent me( thither- )

hither to( will-to )( dyad- )lead-carry-fetch-

bring( the o dyad- )dog,

( they-were led-fetched-brought )

( they-will lead-fetch-bring ),

καί ποτέ μ᾽ ἐνθάδ᾽ ἔπεμψε κύν᾽ ἄξοντ᾽:

ADEIMANTOS: o you, but were we really such

a Kerberos? ( get it ) ( a Care Bear - os? )

( the rest and recharge ) seeming long enough,

that sizzle building everywhere round here,

until ( we can almost feel ) another earth

( bust out across her cosmic dancing floor ),

( and we feel giddy ) with this possibility

which ( we are happy to hear ) many returns

( the valley trembles with the laughter of words ),

SAILORS: ( ragin )violently( drunk )at least,

σφόδρα γε.

ADEIMANTOS: for thats how we set out to find you, friend.

but look, he never would have sent me here

alone. he needed me to learn really

to share. so guided by ( your body heat )

and by her ( maybe a tad silly ) under-

over-statement ( our de-stabled song ),

didnt he leave us everything, not only

for my survival, but everything ( needed

for my revival ) ( and all our horses too ) ?

HERAKLES: for( he )didnt consider( ponder, purpose, plan,

suppose, observe )( there )( we )to be( are )yet( o fellows )( an )other

stronger( mightier )task( contest-struggle-ordeal )

( to-by-for )me, at least, ( than )this,

οὐ γὰρ ἔτ᾽ ἄλλον

φράζετο τοῦδέ γέ μοι κρατερώτερον εἶναι ἄεθλον:

ADEIMANTOS: to bring her back from famously unseen?

( but tiny lines draw big pictures ) indeed,

and ones ( so close to me ) with extra gravity

stirrup kuklonik storms, and red-rimmed-eyes,

and all that force ( requires such safety )

and sensitivity as ( extra-dyad-security ),

SOKRATES: of these( o dyad-god )

( she was binding )( bind, you )( god-needed-bound )

( she was in-need )( need, you )( the dyad-god )

( indeed )must( be ),

( of )the slight-few

( look, you! )

( he )looks( at )( considers )( and beholds ),

τούτων δὴ τῶν ὀλίγων σκόπει

ADEIMANTOS: and so daimonic ( growing underground )

and utterly lazy, and lets this be our luxury,

the slighter-few, the better-tea, to taste.

( and then we feel ) safe, cozy, warm ( only

the presence ) of me and you and trusted words

enjoying ourselves ( and the artwork were in )

floating across her rosy surreality

would bloom into his dance of many forms,

SOKRATES: as( o )many( he )destructions

( ruins, pests, plagues, pandemics, deaths )

and( indeed )( as )( many )( he )greats( bigs, full-

growns, vasts, highs, wides and longs,

mighties and strongs )( impressives ),

ὡς πολλοὶ ὄλεθροι καὶ μεγάλοι.

ADEIMANTOS: ( but giggling uncontrolled )

and with ( the lightest touch ) from them ( his hims )

( but maybe when we play with him he gets

more firm? ) you stop it now, and how on earth

would somebody perform? ( ok lets act elegant )

and with ( the lightest touch ) from her, she moves

right through, across, against, yet soothes the waves,

our she-vessel bringing me, and horses, her,

( we becoming )-( steadily more beautiful )

until we give birth even to the presence

really ( of another warm body ) ?

HERAKLES: it( even )indeed( we )i( being )brought( raised

it )up( and back )( poured-forth )( traced-to )( restored )

and( indeed )( they led )( we )led( fetched-carried-

brought )( it )out( from )Hades,

τὸν μὲν ἐγὼν ἀνένεικα καὶ ἤγαγον ἐξ Ἀίδαο:

ADEIMANTOS: yet as ( the dream is real )-( we-being-we ),

the dreaming returns all to me once more.

( in wanting there is fear )-( we are aware ).

so may we hold our fear, even as we hold a child

beloved. even as what we ( could offer ) her

( and trying never to steal the thunder from

tomorrows storm ) would be gladly to deal-out-

inwardly and hold and hoard ( green glades )

( green glades ) ( green glades ) as well as

such excellent odes from a somebody.

from hymn to Apollo

Pindar Isthmian 1

Republic VI

Odyssey XI.613-626

Oct 2, 2026 ∞

VIII.xii. end goal-( wild-( in a language( the wave of )unknown )-fire )-fighting sleep

ADEIMANTOS: hold on to your buts,

MEDEIS( NOBODY ): O( to-by-for )me( we )i( being )cowardly( vile,

worthless, lowborn, mean, afraid, miserable, wretched, poor ),

ADEIMANTOS: we ask myself,

MEDEIS: what( someone )now( to-by-for )me longest-

lasting( would be )born?

ὤ μοι ἐγὼ δειλός, τί νύ μοι μήκιστα γένηται;

ADEIMANTOS: keep your ifs inside the she-vessel,

PINDAR: ( o )HIGHEST( uppermost, most supreme )horse-driver

( charioteer )( thunder-hurler )( lyre-striker )( rower )

( who drives away )( a broad, flat cake )( hoop-stick )

of untiring( of foot )thunder —

( astonishment ! )

ZEUS,

ἐλατὴρ ὑπέρτατε βροντᾶς ἀκαμαντόποδος Ζεῦ:

ADEIMANTOS: but keep your ands easy to reach-for,

HERAKLES: but he( and yall )inflicted upon( imposed )

( commanded-charged-prescribed )

( gave an order )( to-by-for )me

difficult( cruel-harsh-stern-dangerous-violent-

malignant )tasks( contests-conflicts

struggles-ordeals ),

ὁ δέ μοι χαλεποὺς ἐπετέλλετ᾽ ἀέθλους.

ADEIMANTOS: good thing ( its not the end goal ) that matters,

as swirling voices ( we really believe ),

and were not sure yet if its irony,

but ( the way you respond only to me )

would momentarily become difficult,

MEDEIS: we( would )fear lest

( it )( o dyad-god )( she was binding )( bind, you )

( god-needed-bound )( she was in-need )( need,

you )( the dyad-god )( indeed )must( be ),

all( the )( dyad- )goddess( unerring )infallible said,

(300) δείδω μὴ δὴ πάντα θεὰ νημερτέα εἶπεν,

ADEIMANTOS: and ( my skin is electricity ) charged

with the polarity of poetries,

( we-turning ) languages of men

inside organic me,

PINDAR: for your( she- )SEASONS( being-fitting-times ),

τεαὶ γὰρ ὧραι

MEDEIS: she spoke( to-by-for )me in the sea,

ἥ μ᾽ ἔφατ᾽ ἐν πόντῳ,

ADEIMANTOS: aiming less for instability,

PINDAR: TURNING( -dancing- )ROUND( whirling-

plying )( winding-minding )under the subtle( -many-

colored-complex-dappled-embroidered-wily-unstable-

)notes of the lyre-( phorminx )-SONG —

ὑπὸ ποικιλοφόρμιγγος ἀοιδᾶς ἑλισσόμεναί

ADEIMANTOS: balancing the two of these,

bearing witness to his nostos,

MEDEIS: before( you )come( reach )( approach )

( supplicate )( the she- )fatherland( she )earth,

πρὶν πατρίδα γαῖαν ἱκέσθαι,

ADEIMANTOS: or coming home to his witnessing,

PINDAR: ( they-she )SENT me,

μ᾽ ἔπεμψαν 

ADEIMANTOS: and ( its the journey ) we say OUT LOUD,

as we can barely hear herself,

over these hims,

MEDEIS: ( you would )FULFILL( have full measure of )

( you would feel pains )( he was feeling pains )

( feel pain, you )( dyad- )PAIN( sufferings, grief ),

ἄλγε᾽ ἀναπλήσειν:

ADEIMANTOS: dipping fingers

in the teacup,

PINDAR: ( as )WITNESS( o witness )( o guardian )

of the HIGHEST( loftiest )( proudest )

contests( struggles, tasks, conflicts, ORDEALS ),

ὑψηλοτάτων μάρτυρ᾽ ἀέθλων.

SOKRATES: ( we )i( being )( to-by-for )you,

ἐγώ σοι,

ADEIMANTOS: ( in a language )

we are learning as we go along,

( we hear the air crackling )

with some almighty agreements,

with some almighty friends,

MEDEIS: but now all of( she- )this

( o dyad-god )( she was binding )( bind, you )

( god-needed-bound )( she was in-need )( need, you )

( the dyad-god )( indeed )must( be )

( will be )( is )accomplished,

τὰ δὲ δὴ νῦν πάντα τελεῖται.

ADEIMANTOS: as the dog hears too,

PINDAR: but( of )guest-friends( XENION )

( strangers, hosts, foreigners )doing( FARING )WELL,

GOOD( brave, stout, faithful, well-bred )( men )

WAG the TAIL( show joyful-delight and fondness )

( fawn-upon )( pay-court-to )( greet )( gladden )

FORTHWITH( at once )( immediately )( on the spot )

( o drinker, take a drink! )

toward( the )SWEET( fresh, pleasant, deligtful )

MESSAGE( tidings-news-report-announcement-

messenger ),

ξείνων δ᾽ εὖ πρασσόντων ἔσαναν αὐτίκ᾽ ἀγγελίαν

ποτὶ γλυκεῖαν ἐσλοί.

ADEIMANTOS: whats the message, o Sokrates?

SOKRATES: ( o saying )( the saying )

( say, you! )they say( we say )

( the saying )

( the weight that falls on a mouse in a trap ),

εἶπον,

ADEIMANTOS: but whats that mousetrappy thing?

its always kind of showing up

but he leaves hooks concealed so far in

its ( unknown to almost everyone else )

its unknown even to him until

we unexpectedly stumble on the answer

( when your hand moves on paths )

when the mousetraps catch us,

MEDEIS: ( to-by-for )such clouds Zeus enwreathes

( crowns-around )( you are surrounded, enwreathed )

( the )wide( broad )sky( heavens ),

οἵοισιν νεφέεσσι περιστέφει οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν
Ζεύς,

PINDAR: but still,

[10] ἀλλ᾽,

ADEIMANTOS: as ( someone said )

who wasnt nobody,

MEDEIS: but( he )stirs up( troubles )( agitates )( throws

into disorder )( confusion )( and anarchy )( the )sea,

ἐτάραξε δὲ πόντον,

ADEIMANTOS: but hes not anarchist at all,

PINDAR: O CHILD of Kronos,

ὦ Κρόνου παῖ,

ADEIMANTOS: but not quite dyadic

enough for nobody,

MEDEIS: but( the )storm( whirl- )winds urge-on

( to-by-for )( rushing )( blowing-furiously )( of )winds of all sorts,

ἐπισπέρχουσι δ᾽ ἄελλαι

(305) παντοίων ἀνέμων.

ADEIMANTOS: yet we-being pharmakronik,

PINDAR: ( you )who( o VIPERS! )( you pour out )

( you )have-and-hold( Mount )Aetna,

ὃς Αἴτναν ἔχεις,

ADEIMANTOS: as he grabs me by

the ( horses ) heartstrings,

MEDEIS: now( to-by-for )me safe( sure, certain,

sound, alive and well )( would be )sheer

( utter )( high and steep )( lofty )( towering )destruction( ruin )( death ),

νῦν μοι σῶς αἰπὺς ὄλεθρος.

ADEIMANTOS: he cant help it, he cant resist,

somebody feels like the kind of dad

such as nobody wishes he could have had,

PINDAR: ( the )WINDY( airy )( rapid-rushing )

( stirred and filled by the wind )dropping-

WEIGHT( EIPON )( mouse-trap-song )

( of )strong( mighty )( o dyad- )hundred-

( HEKATO-KEPHALAS )-headed TYPHON,

ἶπον ἀνεμόεσσαν ἑκατογκεφάλα Τυφῶνος ὀβρίμου,

ADEIMANTOS: but both of them agree

and came to celebrate our victory lap,

with-in-lap-towering,

MEDEIS: thrice blessed( the )Danaans,

τρὶς μάκαρες Δαναοὶ

PINDAR: RECEIVE( the )Olympic-conqueror !

this merry-making( REVELRY )( carousal )

( procession )( parade )( ode )

by( aid )of the GRACES( Chariton ),

Οὐλυμπιονίκαν δέκευ

Χαρίτων ἕκατι τόνδε κῶμον, 

MEDEIS: and( indeed )four times!

καὶ τετράκις,

ADEIMANTOS: and somehow somebody

he captures beauty

in that old reach for glory,

PINDAR: ( this )after the LONGEST time( long-

expected )( late? NEVER! )( most enduring )

( most in-the-end )( most coming-in-due-course )LIGHT

( o light! )( of )far-and-widely-reaching-POWERFUL EXCELLENCE.

χρονιώτατον φάος εὐρυσθενέων ἀρετᾶν.

ADEIMANTOS: and if we combine them,

SOKRATES: and if such as( he )

( we )come-into-being( are born,

produced, fall due, take-place, come-

to-pass )( you ),

ἂν οἷός τε γένωμαι,

ADEIMANTOS: we have to admit

somebodys ode

( makes me forget )

about my sorrows for a minute,

PINDAR: for( it )comes( attains-to )( reaches )( the )CHARIOT

( carriages )( shelters )( harbors )( vessels )

of PSAUMIS( victor in the MULE race ),

Ψαύμιος γὰρ ἵκει [20]

ὀχέων,

ADEIMANTOS: both hold me familiar

as ( weve allowed to be traced )

some underwater lines,

MEDEIS: who perished( died )then in wide( broad )Troy,

οἳ τότ᾽ ὄλοντο

Τροίῃ

PINDAR: who, ( being )WREATHED( and crowned )

( to-by-for the )OLIVE tree( of )Pisa,

ὅς, ἐλαίᾳ στεφανωθεὶς Πισάτιδι,

ADEIMANTOS: reminders of those

with whom we used to wish

that we could coexist,

MEDEIS: bringing grace( favor, gratitude )( gratification )

( pleasure, delight )( satisfaction )( thanks )

( to-by-for )( the )sons of Atreus,

ἐν εὐρείῃ χάριν Ἀτρεΐδῃσι φέροντες.

ADEIMANTOS: ( and we try to remember )

what it feels like to be seen

and celebrated,

PINDAR: ( LET LOOSE! )( would )stir up

( to call-forth )GLORY( kudos! )

( renown )( to-by-for )Kamarina,

κῦδος ὄρσαι

σπεύδει Καμαρίνᾳ.

ADEIMANTOS: but at least hes not always going on

about hekatombs anymore,

SOKRATES: ( we )would( will )try

( attempt, endeavor, experience )

to go-through( pass-through, complete, spread-

abroad, shoot-through, pass-through-and-reach,

recount ),

πειράσομαι διελθεῖν.

ADEIMANTOS: does he realize ( there are people watching )

when he says these things? nobodys relationship

with himself ( we )is( being ) his deep flaw,

we see him

( when we want to skip to the end ),

MEDEIS: as( o dyad-god )( she was binding )( bind, you )

( god-needed-bound )( she was in-need )( need, you )

( the dyad-god )( indeed )must( be )

would( that )( we- )i( -being )at least( had )died

and( indeed )( had )( driven-to )met( my )destiny,

ὡς δὴ ἐγώ γ᾽ ὄφελον θανέειν καὶ πότμον ἐπισπεῖν

ADEIMANTOS: whereas somebody brings this feeling

of ( little fires lighting up along the way )

and then he makes them HUGE,

he speaks to stadia,

PINDAR: may( the )GOD be JOYFUL-HEARTED

( goodly-phrenes )( mirthful, merry, taking pleasure,

gracious, kind, kindly, benevolent )

( to-by-for )( their )remaining( future )( hence-

forward )( hereafter )( further )PRAYERS

( vows, wishes, aspirations );

θεὸς εὔφρων

εἴη λοιπαῖς εὐχαῖς:

ADEIMANTOS: and nobody lets us relive

our worst moments, he just offers himself

with some strangers generosity, like

MEDEIS: ( to-by-for )the day when( to-by-for )me

the greatest multitude of Trojans cast( their )brass-tipped spears

around( about )( the )slain( perished )( Achilles )son of Peleus,

ἤματι τῷ ὅτε μοι πλεῖστοι χαλκήρεα δοῦρα

(310) Τρῶες ἐπέρριψαν περὶ Πηλεΐωνι θανόντι.

ADEIMANTOS: as somebody champions thumos,

our horses shiver to hear him speak,

PINDAR: since( you are approaching- and following-

upon )( to-by-for )( the dyad-word-song )

( WE )PRAISE( tell of )( approve )( commend )

him-her( who is )EXTREMELY( DYAD-SECRETLY! )even( INDEED )

AT HAND( ready )( prepared )( at once

and without hesitation )( ready-active-zealous )

( bold )( brought to fulfilment )( eager )

( to-by-for the )EDUCATION( nourishment,

food, provisions, forage, livelihood, nurture,

rearing, generation and keeping )( of )HORSES,

ἐπεί νιν αἰνέω μάλα μὲν

τροφαῖς ἑτοῖμον ἵππων,

ADEIMANTOS: as nobody fantasizes his own death,

MEDEIS: ( to-by-for )it( we would have received

A LOT )of funeral gifts,

τῷ κ᾽ ἔλαχον κτερέων,

ADEIMANTOS: somebody reminds us of being our best,

PINDAR: and REJOICING( o rejoicing ones! )

( to-by-for )ALL-RECEIVING XENIA( guest-

friendships and stranger-hospitalities ),

χαίροντά τε ξενίαις πανδόκοις

ADEIMANTOS: as nobody fantasizes about fame,

as part of fantasizing about his death,

such as this, our problematic man,

MEDEIS: and( indeed )( we would have taken )

( the )Achaians( would have )brought me

glory( kleos - fame, rumor, report ),

καί μευ κλέος ἦγον Ἀχαιοί:

ADEIMANTOS: whereas somebody makes the city-

soul ache

with possibility,

PINDAR: and( indeed )toward CITY-LOVING PEACE

( rest, quiet, silence, stillness ),

SELF-TURNING( tetrammenon )( to-by-for )CLEAR

( pure, spotless, free )THOUGHT

( judgment, intelligence, knowing, understanding,

opinion, resolution, purpose, resolve ),

καὶ πρὸς ἁσυχίαν φιλόπολιν καθαρᾷ γνώμᾳ τετραμμένον.

ADEIMANTOS: the possibility of somebody

or something, being some city

worth dying for,

SOKRATES: this( even )( indeed )therefore( we )

( o ways, o powers of song! )suppose

( forebode, presage, expect,

suspect, intend, believe )( the )all( o all! )

will agree( same-saying )( he would agree )

( she would agree )( you will agree )

( to-by-for )we

( she-dyad-confession )( to-by-for confession-she ),

τόδε μὲν οὖν οἶμαι πᾶς ἡμῖν ὁμολογήσει,

ADEIMANTOS: ( silently ) we side with nobody

almost all the time, even

when what he says is plainly wrong,

MEDEIS: but now( it had been )fated( me )

( to be )seized( captured )( taken )( slain )

( to-by-for )( a )wretched( sorry )( pitiful )

( contemptuous )death,

νῦν δέ λευγαλέῳ θανάτῳ εἵμαρτο ἁλῶναι.

HOMER: so there-and-then( dyad-he )speaking it —

ὣς ἄρα μιν εἰπόντ᾽

PINDAR: ( WE )( would-will )NOT STAIN

( you are not stained )( wet, moisten, soften, dye )

( the )WORD( to-by-for )FALSEHOOD,

οὐ ψεύδεϊ τέγξω λόγον: [30]

ADEIMANTOS: ( breathe ) we remind myself

as we realize what we witness,

HOMER: ( the )GREAT WAVE( billowing, swelling,

heaving, flood )( PREGNANCY-fetus-sprout )DROVE-

( propelled-thrusted-struck )-DOWN( against-

through )( from the )HIGHEST( topmost-extremity

)( a )TERRIBLE( dreadful, wondrous, awful,

clever )RUSHING-( hastening,

speeding )-against,

ἔλασεν μέγα κῦμα κατ᾽ ἄκρης

δεινὸν ἐπεσσύμενον,

ADEIMANTOS: somebody versus nobody

would ignite

to tame the tempest,

PINDAR: ( o )SHE-TRIAL( we drive-through )( the crucial

experiment )( trial )( proof )( perseverance )

( to-by-for )YOU( let me tell you )( would be )

( the )ELENCHOS( argument )( disproof,

refutation, cross-examination, testing,

scrutiny, trial, reproach, blame,

etc )( of )MORTAL MEN,

διάπειρά τοι βροτῶν ἔλεγχος: 

ADEIMANTOS: what does nobody fight for,

his craft?

HOMER: but( it )WHIRLED( he raised the battle-cry )

( he raised a lament )( he cried loudly )AROUND

( about )( the SHE- )raft( hand-to-hand )

( in close combat ),

περὶ δὲ σχεδίην ἐλέλιξε.

ADEIMANTOS: and somebody for what,

the reinstatement of whats right?

PINDAR: ( the )SHE-DYAD( who )UNBOUND

( unfastened, unyoked, released, delivered,

resolved, destroyed, annulled )the CHILD

( Erginos? )of Klumenos from( the )DISHONOR

( disgrace )( derision )( deprivation

of civil rights )( of the )Lemnian women,

ἅπερ Κλυμένοιο παῖδα

Λαμνιάδων γυναικῶν ἔλυσεν ἐξ ἀτιμίας.

ADEIMANTOS: so different, yet

we are burning with them both,

and ( soon we are wildfire ) listening

to their voices in myself resolving,

SOKRATES: such( a )nature( growth-origin,

outward-form, constitution-temperament,

character, originating-power, elementary-

substance, birth )and( indeed )

she-having-and-holding( he-)all as much

( she-dyad )as we enjoined( commanded,

prescribed, posted, appointed )just-now,

τοιαύτην φύσιν καὶ πάντα ἔχουσαν ὅσα προσετάξαμεν νυνδή,

ADEIMANTOS: ( and then the moment is over )

and nobody loses, but he does it to himself,

HOMER: but FAR-off from( the SHE- )raft

( close-quarters )( hand-to-hand combat )( spur

of the moment )( he- )HIMSELF hurled

( let fall, self-threw )( lost the erect position )

( fell in battle )( SUNK ),

(315) τῆλε δ᾽ ἀπὸ σχεδίης αὐτὸς πέσε,

ADEIMANTOS: whereas theres something

strong-humble, humbling, common-strong,

about somebody, a peoples man,

PINDAR: but CONQUERING( winning )

( the )race( COURSE )( of victories )

in bronze( copper coins )armor,

χαλκέοισι δ᾽ ἐν ἔντεσι νικῶν δρόμον 

ADEIMANTOS: then again,

what wouldnt nobody sacrifice

of his own self?

HOMER: but( it )sent-forth( threw-hurled-launched-

let-fly )( let fall a word )( uttered in speech )

( let go )( surrendered )( the )rudder out( from his )hands,

πηδάλιον δὲ

ἐκ χειρῶν προέηκε:

ADEIMANTOS: and indeed,

PINDAR: ( he )said( to-by-for )Hupsipule( high-and-lofty passage ),

ἔειπεν Ὑψιπυλείᾳ

ADEIMANTOS: high versus middle?

HOMER: but( the )MIDDLE( to-by-for)itself

( of the )MAST — broke( shivered )

( the SHE- )terrible( fearsome, marvelous,

clever, wondrous )( of )mixing winds

( she )coming( -and-going )HURRICANE,

μέσον δέ οἱ ἱστὸν ἔαξεν

δεινὴ μισγομένων ἀνέμων ἐλθοῦσα θύελλα,

ADEIMANTOS: o high versus middle

versus the HURRICANE they create,

PINDAR: after going( and coming )

( to the )GARLAND( crown )( wreath ),

μετὰ στέφανον ἰών:

ADEIMANTOS: the one they live for,

HOMER: but FAR-OFF( we were SOWING )

( they were sowing )( sow, you )( o sowing )

( sowing )( the sowing )( the )sail( clothing )

( wraps )( shroud )and( indeed )( the )yard-arm

( were )flung-into( FALL, you )( ENTER into )

( come upon )( STRIKE )( the )SEA,

τηλοῦ δὲ σπεῖρον καὶ ἐπίκριον ἔμπεσε πόντῳ.

ADEIMANTOS: if ( a sense of security )

maybe ( we tell myself ) would

call nobody home,

SOKRATES: if finally( having reached its end,

finished, complete, perfect, full-grown,

accomplished thoroughly, and )about to become

( be born, come-into-being )

philosophos( wisdom-love ),

εἰ τελέως (491β) μέλλοι φιλόσοφος γενέσθαι,

ADEIMANTOS: ( until next time ) something

nobody-like slips out,

HOMER: but there-and-then UNDERWATER( she )put him,

( for a )LONGGG time,

τὸν δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ὑπόβρυχα θῆκε πολὺν χρόνον,

ADEIMANTOS: she-being a strong

container for nobodys ways,

HUPSIPULE: this( WE )i( BEING )( to-by-for )SWIFTNESS( quickness )( speed ),

‘ οὗτος ἐγὼ ταχυτᾶτι: 

ADEIMANTOS: but neither is nobody spotless

nor is the poet altogether so,

it may be ( by something small )

but it irks me how they blame her,

she-being Kalupso,

HOMER: nor( was he )able very( dyad-underwater-

secretly )quickly( to )hold-up( lift-up, surface )

( from )under( the )great wave( swelling-

billowing-surge )( pregnancy )( of )( the SHE- )ATTACK;

for( the )clothes there-and-then( were )OPPRESSING

( and depressing )( him ),

the( SHE-DYAD )( to-by-for )itself( o passage!

o resource! )( she )GAVE( give, you! )

through( we would-will HIDE and CONCEAL )

( you hide and cover )Kalupso,

οὐδ᾽ ἐδυνάσθη

(320) αἶψα μάλ᾽ ἀνσχεθέειν μεγάλου ὑπὸ κύματος ὁρμῆς:

εἵματα γάρ ῥ᾽ ἐβάρυνε, τά οἱ πόρε δῖα Καλυψώ.

ADEIMANTOS: but even nobody

with his actions says ( fuck the end goal ),

HOMER: but after a longgg time( LATE? )( NEVER )

( o dyad-god )( she was binding )( bind, you )( god-needed-

bound )( she was in-need )( need, you )

( the dyad-god )( indeed )must( be )

there-and-then( he )came up,

ὀψὲ δὲ δή ῥ᾽ ἀνέδυ,

ADEIMANTOS: but when she delivers his medicine,

HUPSIPULE: but HANDS and( indeed )HEART( being )EQUAL( evenly )( alike ),

χεῖρες δὲ καὶ ἦτορ ἴσον.

ADEIMANTOS: he spits it out,

and again the poet takes his side,

( shewaters a lil preachy for them? )

HOMER: but( from her )mouth( she )SPIT-OUT

( the )( SHE- )bitter( sharp, keen, piercing, acute,

pungent, mean! )( SHE- )sea-water( BRINE ),

( she )which( to-by-for )itself( she- )much

from( the she- )head( was )gushing( gurgling,

murmuring, babbling, trickling, flowing fitfully, or in drops . . . )

στόματος δ᾽ ἐξέπτυσεν ἅλμην

πικρήν, ἥ οἱ πολλὴ ἀπὸ κρατὸς κελάρυζεν.

ADEIMANTOS: to walk the slight edge

between nobody, and somebody,

( we-being HUPSIPULE ) and the poet too,

showing-through the best of each,

SOKRATES: rarely( oligakis-slightly )born

among human beings

( to grow, wax, spring-up, spring-forth,

begotten, produced ),

and(indeed)oligas(very-slight-few),

ὀλιγάκις ἐν ἀνθρώποις φύεσθαι καὶ ὀλίγας.

HUPSIPULE: but( it )GROWS,

[40] φύονται δὲ

ADEIMANTOS: but she has nature

and he has his memory ( of her ),

HOMER: but still not even like( he was )forgetting

( the she- )raft( hand-to-hand )( close combat ),

roundly wearing-out( distressed, afflicted, exhausted,

born-hard-upon, reduced to extremity,

being-rubbed-hard, with troubles ),

ἀλλ᾽ οὐδ᾽ ὣς σχεδίης ἐπελήθετο, τειρόμενός περ,

ADEIMANTOS: and having been accustomed

to going and coming between them,

as butterfly men, even just for fun,

even with our ( eyes closed ),

HUPSIPULE: and( indeed )( you would swim )

( you would spin )( you would pile up )

( in heaps )( and for next year ),

SHE-GRAYNESS( gray-grizzled-grizlies )

( of hair )OFTEN( grows )in YOUNG MEN,

καὶ νέοις ἐν ἀνδράσιν 

πολιαὶ θαμὰ

ADEIMANTOS: and doesnt he have a habit

of providing commentary

( often in the form of a question )

( we werent going to ask for ) ?

to which we reply ( enjoy the journey ),

SOKRATES: ( either )or( else-otherwise )( eh! )( do )nt( you )suppose?

ἢ οὐκ οἴει;

ADEIMANTOS: and even in her ( fighting sleep )

( like neither nobody nor somebody )

she-being constant revolutionary,

HUPSIPULE: and( indeed )beside( towards )( contrary

to )( against )( beyond )that

( of the )AGE( time of life )( generation )( prime ),

καὶ παρὰ τὸν ἁλικίας

ADEIMANTOS: but ( given ) that nobody

makes an excellent lover,

HOMER: but still rushing-in-pursuit( making a dash )

( passively )in-through( the )waves( billowing-

swelling-pregnancies )( he )received( took hold )( of )herself,

(325) ἀλλὰ μεθορμηθεὶς ἐνὶ κύμασιν ἐλλάβετ᾽ αὐτῆς,

ADEIMANTOS: but when it comes to problems

where we might say ( a good sleep wont fix this )

( anything other than a tempest-tantrum ),

his response seems pretty strong,

HOMER: but in( her )middle( he )sat( and huddled- )down,

ἐν μέσσῃ δὲ καθῖζε

HUPSIPULE: ( contrary to what at )( the )TIME seeming-likely,

ἐοικότα χρόνον.’

ADEIMANTOS: nobody survives,

HOMER: avoiding deaths end,

τέλος θανάτου ἀλεείνων.

ADEIMANTOS: yet hes also like a baby,

who always wants back into the storm,

who just likes getting spun around.

nobody may not be a place to live,

but its his energy that drives us on,

when were on the move.

from hymn to Apollo

Republic VI

Odyssey V.299-326, XI.613-626

Pindar Olympian 4

in a language unknown

Sep 29, 2026 ∞

VIII.xx. silken-light ( good at math ) heart-music

ADEIMANTOS: and our serious work

would be to keep her safe,

SOKRATES: as( she is )utterly destroyed in many,

ὡς διόλλυται ἐν πολλοῖς,

ADEIMANTOS: evidently.

but as ( youre in bed already )

our dreaming seems an active sleep

( to determine compatibility )

( singles inferno for meta-poetic we )

then does it end with you and me?

SOKRATES: but something( someone )small escapes

( acquitted, out, you flee ),

σμικρὸν δέ τι ἐκφεύγει,

ADEIMANTOS: by pollination or some kind of aerial seed,

( we guess its how these shes grew me )

or they could be the ( simple formulas )

for our calculator. she makes a kind of logic

( but we try not to hurry ) in order to find,

SOKRATES: ( those )which

( o dyad-god )( she was binding )( bind, you )

( god-needed-bound )( she was in-need )( need, you )

( the dyad-god )( indeed )must( be ),

οὓς δὴ

ADEIMANTOS: she being who it looks like

as intelligence withdraws from arms races.

so youd better believe she treats herself well,

( herself given manicures and pedicures,

herself taken crystal baths in pastel oceans,

wherein her pearlescent bubbles ) the foam

has ample time ( the sea ) ( we-are-beingly ) really

( the measure of her own motion )

( we-time ) o-clock,

herself-care,

SOKRATES: and( indeed )not useless

( toilsome, grievous, toxic, malicious,

good-for-nothing waste ),

καὶ οὐ πονηρούς,

ADEIMANTOS: ( but no outcome we form )

apart from this-me born ( to-by-for ) her

( to caress every curve ) her goddess curves

( Hera, Gaia, all of hers ) apart from Zeus.

and our service ( to-by-for ) unserviceable she,

SOKRATES: but( they beauty- )call

( they will beauty-call )( to-by-for )( beauty-callings )

useless( unprofitable, unserviceable,

irrelevant, obsolete ),

ἀχρήστους δὲ καλοῦσι:

ADEIMANTOS: and indeed ( we are in my favour )

wearing only ( the sweet scent of raspberry )

( ylang-ylang, vanilla, lavender & patchouli )

( torn basil and tomato and thyme )

( oops was getting hungry )

what more could you want than that?

SOKRATES: and( indeed )after that

back again( bow wow )

the( shes )imitating( representing, portraying,

mimicking, expressing )this( she ),

καὶ μετὰ (491α) τοῦτο αὖ τὰς μιμουμένας ταύτην

ADEIMANTOS: and indeed this-she ( holds

the memory of summer ) somehow

in her animal sounds, as by the dog,

the butterfly, et cetera

( but then again ) what more?

SOKRATES: and( indeed )establishing( setting-down,

instituting )( themselves )( in )the pursuit

( business-practice-custom )( of )herself,

καὶ εἰς τὸ ἐπιτήδευμα καθισταμένας αὐτῆς,

ADEIMANTOS: and if we would ever be

at home ( on my skin ) then how?

SOKRATES: ( of )what sorts( of o )natures

( growths, births, origins )we-being

( to-by-for o )we-being

( you blow and puff )( you would-will bring-forth )

( you would-will flee, escape, fly )( of cool )

( contemplating through the cool of night )souls

( living beings, spirits, ghosts, selves, sources-of-life ),

( o refreshing in the shade )( refreshing )( the refreshing

in the shade )( o making-alive )( making-alive )

( they were making-alive )( we are making-alive )

( to make-alive )( the making-alive ),

οἷαι οὖσαι φύσεις ψυχῶν

ADEIMANTOS: and indeed she being ( silken ) ( and slippery )

and too ( alive ) too ( femme ) for hands to grasp.

from that mistrial, which theys would conclude

( hint - ) ( not the most measured ones )

we never were good at math?

SOKRATES: and( indeed )( who )( arriving-at,

coming-to, approaching )( a )pursuit( business-

practice )in( the )not( held as )worthy( of )

( and )( lordly-kingly )( and )larger

( greater )than them( he-she-it )selves,

εἰς ἀνάξιον καὶ μεῖζον ἑαυτῶν ἀφικνούμεναι ἐπιτήδευμα,

ADEIMANTOS: ( yet ) ( he practices letting her approach him )

so in these ( there is a lightness ) like laughter,

these letting-go, these letting-play, these letting-be,

( as we dive under blankets ) to express her-

SOKRATES: ( shes who )in-many-ways( would

be )( in error )making-false-notes

( offending music ),

πολλαχῇ πλημμελοῦσαι,

ADEIMANTOS: yet still shes cool ( cool as the river ravine,

yet shes who will in many ways say, whoopsie,

yet her parts she be concealing from herself.

yet when we exhale ) and you breathe me in

( our currents would make music ) under my skin,

( as she would balance ) ( to-by-for ) her warming heart.

from hymn to Apollo

Odyssey XI.613-626

Republic VI

silken

good at math

lightness

Sep 18, 2026 ∞

VIII.x. ( from the ashes of this ) darling town ( a phoenix in ) fall colours

ADEIMANTOS: ( o Sokrates, why have you named

him fearless? ) ( and why wont he say more? )

( even if we ask ) ( poke ) hm-mm.

( he still wont speak ) ( his irony

grows thick as wool ) baaa ( but how

is this being unafraid? ) ( doesnt he know

they-we want to hear everything about him? )

SOKRATES: for( it does )nt have-and-hold( the )nature

( growth-origin )( of )the steersman( kubernetes )

( they-dyad were steering )

( to bind himself )( to be in-need )of the sailors,

to be ruled( dyad-spider-web )by( from-under him )self.

οὐ γὰρ ἔχει φύσιν κυβερνήτην

ναυτῶν δεῖσθαι ἄρχεσθαι ὑφ᾽ αὑτοῦ

ADEIMANTOS: ( thinks for a while ) ( o kubernetes )

night falls over the town in a blink ( o sprinkles! )

( what has-and-holds your nature, origin, growth? )

( where did you come from? ) ( would you show us? )

we would take you to the spot by the lake,

( okay, lets go ) ( and walk around it ) ( one way

and the other way ) ( but walking anytime we could )

( some days the high path on the ridge, some days

the low ) ( sun, rain, or snow ) ( she found a place

to listen to herself ) ( in him ) ( we-seeking-we )

( we were right there ) ( we were reflection ) ( we

were seasons ) ( light air and water ) ( burning

star ) ( so ) ( neither are we a city man ) ( strictly )

( nor are we a business person ) ( really? )

( cant be ) ( not here ),

SOKRATES: nor(for)the wise(skilled-clever ones)

to go(up to)the double-folding-she-doors

(you will thrust out-of-doors)

of the wealthy-rich(ones),

οὐδὲ τοὺς σοφοὺς ἐπὶ τὰς τῶν πλουσίων θύρας ἰέναι,

ADEIMANTOS: ( in the rebellious phases of my youth )

we inhale the cellar-like scent in the air,

( and we reflect upon the few important years )

( sprinkles! ) ( spent waiting for the metro line )

( or behind the gynmasium of a public school )

( and lets be near the nations capital )

( coming-and-going to the man-made-real )

( the weird, the wild, the human unpredictable )

( for company and fumes to strengthen breadth )

( by breath of fog ) ( where sky looks like a cave )

( and yes, we walk the razors edge of her )

where we used to sit smoking as a teenager,

( as if self-damage would make her invincible )

( after some boy had said her joy was hideous ),