Element

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 4, 2026 ∞

VIII.xxiv. ( we wont ) rot ( unless ) we forget ( its his pòò ) in the well

ADEIMANTOS: O sailors of our craft, O Polly-tay,

how blows the wind on this, her holly-day?

SAILORS: who( which-all? )( what-all? )( -all? ), then,

( o somebodys )( o anybodys )( o many anyones )

( do you pay the price? )( do you pay-off your debt? )

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

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

( she-dyad-god )( indeed )must( be ) ?

τίνες δή;

ADEIMANTOS: aaah . . . she holds so much uncertainty,

but still its me, o yet-un-answered-we !

and how exhilaration bellows off the sea !

these breezes high indeed, and so far-flung

from smog of city men, she saves our lung.

but ( the air is thick with the smell of rot )

below, within our private pilots cell.

for she without be she within as well,

and ( weve been burning dupa ) given me

as gifts from islanders who welcome guests.

for there be no more pious men than what

some unreal men call swarthy savages,

gave scent helps me-ears mingling mightly.

whereby ( we hear ) shes ( clinging on tightly )

to what, an ear, an oar, the yard-arm or

the mast, broke be that merry beam no more,

no scrub for me, no scrub for her, sailors

supplied to do all dirtier chores,

let me, let be, relax, o soothing sea.. ( . . . Enya )

. . ( ..and then we talk )-( with her and really listening )-( better ),

HERA: but still( he )who, at least,

braver( stronger-mightier-better ) — be(

we )as much as far-sounding( euru-opa )Zeus( would be

braver )( mightier )( stronger )( better )( than )Kronos,

ἀλλ᾽ ὅ γε φέρτερος ἔστω, ὅσον Κρόνου εὐρύοπα Ζεύς.

SOKRATES: which( even-indeed, o )most wonderful

( marvellous, extraordinary )of all to hear,

ὃ μὲν πάντων θαυμαστότατον ἀκοῦσαι,

ADEIMANTOS: lets fare-thee-well, O best goddess !

at least as much as Euru-dike would-( we

)-be braver than Euru-opa? what crazy ratios.

but would that she ( who made herself in me ) meet herself ( in we ) !

our promise as our payment, dear divine,

( and everything Achilles would to pine ),

yet smouldering ( of leaves ) leaves air unclear.

( the what ifs and the buts ) begin to appear

soon as our flourish in pink ( -ink ) on papier,

SOKRATES: that in each of( those )which( we )praised

( approved, commended )( of )the( she- )nature

( growth-birth-origin )

( it )destroys( demolishes )( slays )( lays waste )( loses )

the( she- )having-holding-

( they cool )( we cool )( to be cool )( cooling )( of her )-soul

( life, spirit, ghost, source, self ),

ὅτι ἓν ἕκαστον ὧν ἐπῃνέσαμεν τῆς φύσεως ἀπόλλυσι τὴν ἔχουσαν ψυχὴν

ADEIMANTOS: and indeed to live in crucial-fiction, which ( witch ) brings

us to the ever-controversial ( mushrooms ).

first thing a mushroom ( we are ) many things.

it goes both ways, or three or four, parts-sing.

( we recommend those only grown on dung

or best discovered with a trusted pig. )

eat me, they seem to say, eat her, or you?

or you-know-who! or him? not mine to say.

and mushrooms come in different kinds, my kids,

( unsafe to say weve tried more than a few? )

they do a number on my surely-temple,

on whom, we wait for guidance from above

as sailors hit the decks, tripping-( and for

a moment )-if our sailors loose the ship —

SOKRATES: and( indeed, it )( would )tears- and drag( away-

from )( you )( would )( be tearing-away-

from )( she- )philosophy( wisdom-love ),

καὶ ἀποσπᾷ φιλοσοφίας.

ADEIMANTOS: as which, we call a mushroom bad-for-you ( poison ).

( but this has been a little prophecy )

( exteeeeeeeeeeeeeeended metaphor )

( a little pharmacy of written word )

( translating too all of the media that

the vast

numbers of men consume ) ( and possibly soul-

alter-

altar-ring technology ) ( which leaves a lot

of room ) ( we maybe beauty-calling scrolls )

but ( we flip? ) into this irony ( of anti-scroll

as these-shes grow the trippiest of blooms )

and how spores drift in the all-pink

( a soul put under things at her own risk )

( and men on-going tax her stretchiness )

( he-they his remedy or pharmakon for his )

( he-they his own doctor his own ills )

as ( the hopeful dreams ) gathering- and holding-in,

( and the things we refuse to say ) to my best friend,

( really? ) ( of course ) my best friend ( we-being ) second-self,

( easy for him to say ) ( just stole to-for-by Aristotle )

( we are true pirates, through it all )-( but shhh )

in letters like a daily vitamin,

in some ancient cloud of shroom, weird-stream,

( by our best-friend-ship )-( we forget to hate myself )

and so this mushroom got our horses out,

SOKRATES: but( we would )say( she- )manliness( courage ),

λέγω δὲ ἀνδρείαν,

ADEIMANTOS: ( and you pinch )-( the goblin that lives in my head )

not hard! ( but fit to chase it out of bed )

( then baits it with a bite ) of ( sprinkles! ) sweet medicine.

and possibly the goblin could turn cat

( or rat ) ( or dinosaur ) ( and it could bite me pretty bad )

( but we wont let go of the wanting ) and even

as we never did, even in ( my scare-

crone heart )-( born on fragrant spring mornings )

( in her salad days ) ( before the unrealpolitik )

( before bad wisdom ) yet salvaging the goods

( as drawing butterflies on whats discarded )

( to-by-for ) me and you ( becoming beautiful

and young again ) ( in-seeming poetics of )

SOKRATES: ( she-)moderation( sophrosune )( sound-

mindedness, prudence, discretion )

and( indeed )

( all things )which( she-dyad )( we )go through

all( which )( things )( his-so-called-all )( the she-dyad ),

σωφροσύνην καὶ πάντα ἃ διήλθομεν.

ADEIMANTOS: but we have some words on poems

haphazard heraldry ( even seeming innocuously )

when living words get put down as fixed form.

( they turn into the ache of yearning ) tossed

across however many continents,

with latitude and longitude intact,

but tissue burden highly over-stretched,

for ( the yearning ) never could yearning dispell

and such i( wheres the we? )s life, and such i( wheres the we? )s happiness,

all mans desire(s residuum ) ( keeps poisoning

the well of hope ) like all my cold hard pennies cast

for wishes

( swallowed fishes )

( empty stare )

HERAKLES: but Hermes sent( escorted-conducted )me,

and( look, you )gleaming-( glaukopis )-

eyed Athena( o Athens, o Politeia ),

Ἑρμείας δέ μ᾽ ἔπεμψεν ἰδὲ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη.'

ADEIMANTOS: so circumnavigated metaphors,

but written as ourselves of messy words,

or forceful dreams, dreams of a force to reckon

with her eyesight even ( as intense as the nettles )

would we guard ( the dreaming ) until ( we earn his name ) ?

and even as we drink ( the water never fully clear )

with every draught of some forgetfulness,

and rarely shallow, mostly deep ? and as

to navigation ( on some how-divided-line ) ?

whats some logos ( word-speech-ratio-account ) as set down

here, that would ( will ) keep us well on the way?

SAILORS: placeless( out-of-place, out-of-the-way, un-

wonted, extra-ordinary, strange,

para-doxical, ab-surd )

( a-topos ),

ἄτοπον,

SOKRATES: ( smiles primly and steeples his hands )

well even ( with their outstretched arms ) in love

( no matter how hard we keep trying ) him ( its purifying! )

( my nettle tea ) he wont ( we wont ) seize hold of me,

ADEIMANTOS: even( indeed )beautiful( her-we-being )

therefore( to-by-for )me,

καλὴ μὲν οὖν μοι

SAILORS: ( he )was saying,

ἔφη,

SOKRATES: and indeed they ( reach for me on my way home )

( theres always a drop somewhere ) ( or how do you live? )

but he wont ( we wont ) be poisoned by his hope ( or his despair ),

ADEIMANTOS: and( indeed )the( she- )guidance( pompe )

( conduct, escort, sending-home, sending-mission, she-procession )

( of )( the local customs )( of the chorus )( of the dances )

( on the open spaces )( epi-chorion )( on the chora )

would seem-seemly to( we-being )be,

καὶ ἡ τῶν ἐπιχωρίων πομπὴ ἔδοξεν εἶναι,

SAILORS: to hear,

ἀκοῦσαι. (491ξ)

SOKRATES: from the unsightly, you may feel fear.

however ( not quite touching ) her ( through-shining ) heart,

you wont ( we wont ) look backwards at her shade

leaving e.g. likenesses of gibbering bats, ( !? )

ADEIMANTOS: not however( even-indeed-by-you )inferior

( o worse, weaker, less, fewer )( did she )appear( shining-

forth )to resemble( be conspicuously like, befit, beseem )

( she )whom the Thracians( o Thracians )( we )were sending,

( he offers Book III for more specific guidance ) <3

οὐ μέντοι ἧττον ἐφαίνετο πρέπειν ἣν οἱ Θρᾷκες ἔπεμπον.

SOKRATES: just so, he holds my trust and confidence

no worse than they hold my written art;

( and then it spreads ) abroad our pharmakon.

ALL: ( and blowing in the wind for all to hear )

and then it spreads abroad our pharmakon !

ADEIMANTOS: ( . . . ) ( later in our private cell )

yet he left me with more questions than when ( whò? )

began. ( yet it had been the ) END ( of ) part VIII

( until )

( . . . )

( hes obviously been looking back

in the pages of the ledger ) wondering what it means

( at first incredulous toward any pro-

hibition against self-looking ) ( let alone self-touching )

( but having-holding a spiders sense ) how not

to look backwards at her shade? ( and finding them

in need of certain re-visions, re-translations )

just pondering ( them ) making certain changes

( oh ) ( groaning )-( laughing ) ( of course ) ( straightening-out

one-by-one like slight monsters ) ( web ) not

because it made me to, but because it makes

it make better sense ( but in a leisurely way )

( and just us two ) ( me and you ledger )

( and with a dawning recognition ) she hasnt

been led astray, she hasnt incurred the wrath

of any important he, really ever, and that

this path has been a straight path, never-

theless seeming and having felt so ( beauty-calling ) squiggly

( nor being the snake that swallowed a stick )

( mostly these three, which-they reached out like good

test-cases ) ( oh ) ( how about instead

to write this one here from memory ) ( for now )

( and he would leave the former in whatever

version got left . . . ) is that my intended task?

( cackling at shopping carts full of unpurchased poems )

Hera forgive me if this is too me-involved

( it seemed itself-involved ) ( trial )( to-by-for )( trials ) as ever

( . . . )

the spinners distaff ( on genealogy )

for when youre here, have this of me. as time
lets go of us, a song escapes the circlet in
a stranger coming home; eventuality.

under covers of moonlight, the sheets
softened by memory, a gnawing book-
worm spins the orphanage; mulberry leaves.

some shadows at a funeral see less, and lesson
me, nightmare and burning limb; tree spun
to hold a hand in grace, fatherlessness.

( . . . )

equally
if you would really ask
me

ἴσως
ἂν οὖν ἔροιό
με

( Phaedrus 234β )

( . . . )

equally. today wanting to do something like this

but feeling like we need your permission ?

( . . . )

three ( on_a_loop ) on black swan lake

hold me so tight we can barely breathe

on loop in my head, that thought

useless

ii.

we want to leave
for we feel unloved

we cant leave
for we feel unlovable

a loop of equally bleak options

iii.

i shouldnt and i cant and im not allowed
but we do and we are and we want

these words repeating
nothing else left

( . . . )

it gave me tears last night to imagine

giving those three a place. weve been told to follow

tears, so. meteorology. but this next . . . one ?

it seems a perfect candidate not just to toss

but to hurl fom afar ( we understand now about Homeric

verbs ) ( and they have a movement ) like a projectile off

the ship, but not such as this would we share

amongst those of the Politeia, and he would beg

Homer and other poets not to blame us

please sirs for

( . . . )

the daddys issue

some days its like im your magazine
some days its like im your loaded gun
these days it makes no difference which oil( one )spill

yes we received your letter yesterday and all
the days before, your hollow men, your dump
truck spat into my bed, and were not sure

you got it but he wrote you on the third
to say, how dare you write me when you never
learn to read a single fucking word

( . . . )

he cant imagine a good reason to write it again.

( she doesnt think it bothered you though ? )

( oops almost forgot the Greek - )

whether id recommend
for you
to gratify
all
the not-loving ( ones )

( Phaedrus 234β )

εἰ ἅπασίν σοι παραινῶ τοῖς μὴ ἐρῶσι χαρίζεσθαι

( we wants to know which one of yours you would put next? )

but speaking of the στεφανώσασα, news:

those shes of Athens ( or the Politeia ) who

would never filch their husbands crowns, or chaplets

put on fake beards and grow thick armpit hair

before the sun rises, with their husband stuck

taking a crap on the street, yet constipated, literally

unable to take a shit, while she-they-up and write a law.

in my dream of spare time, did you catch a whiff

of another flagrant-hims flagrant in-joke?

did you know about this? ( were you keeping me away

from this on purpose? ) lol ( at first looking for hooks

but is it just an arsenal ? maybe would delete this later

but sitting here in stunned disbelief, yet again )

( the absolute master of comedy ) ( breaking

thhis fourth wall to give us ) ( tips ) he . . .

hes here for his own crown ? ( breathe, me !

starstruck for a moment ) ( did you know?? )

( is it sabotage ??? ) lmao

( . . . )

wow ( thats one big old ugly hooker )

( good luck us! ) doin my best <3

( . . . )

( to be clear, she would seem a beautiful and good hooker

yet the word ugly written so many times on an old it

indicated to me its an old ugly hooker )

( or its baiting me into saying ugly things )

( which seems like an ugly thing to do )

( and admittedly feeling uncomfortable about what seems

from the outside to be a big rape joke )

( and not trusting this one the same as the other one )

( but having only today begun closer translation

it remains unclear what anything is )

( anyway its a lot and may take me more time than expected )

( . . . )

todays notes. okay. eyes adjusting.

barley-cakes fermenting under the kitchen countertop.

( . . . )

keeps thinking about a boy in the audience.

( . . . )

or should have said audiences ( plural )

and cant help thinking of a certain boy

and lifetimes spent listening for a certain boy . . .

two scary dreams last night ( real dreams ) ( how u knew ? )

one of getting accosted in a dark parking lot by two men

as a third man, who could have given me a ride, left me behind.

another of waiting in the attic of our house surrounded

by men armed, for the( she )velociraptors to attack.

if were psychoanalyst — or psychosynthesis

or both, all of which made me really need a nap

( empousa has-and-holds envisioned boy )

( deserving one and getting one - two different things )

( o one self to know to write the tragic - comic art )

but he must be seeing many news today

watching grammar itself become a kind of map

not for the first time imagining you with your languages

seeming to sense these it - things more readily

( are different cases different chambers of a heart ? )

( or organs ) ( nominative for eyes ) ( accusative for ears )

( dative for phrenes ) ( genitive for womb ) ( vocative

for nose ) ( idle guesses ) ( should get back to work )

thinking about the English wor(l)d and its capacities

( a language of apparencies and externalities )

( a language burying - in its scene of crimes )

wondering what its like to translate all of this

from their dense language into yours

( we think about your thoughts feelings a lot

too ) ( nonstop really ) ( obsessed )

our ( my ) ledger on one side of a scale ( like a see -

saw ) and on the other your pamphlet

( first real rain of rainy season today )

from hymn to Apollo

Republic I, VI, X

Odyssey. 11.613-626

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 30, 2026 ∞

VIII.xxi. holding ( nobodys ) lightness ( likeness )

ADEIMANTOS: o miserable me.

( on a liferaft in the middle of ocean )

to row these oars in such obscurity,

low, mean, and disengaging, thankless work.

maybe wed all have rather died at Troy.

what kind of man would ever choose this life?

SOKRATES: and( indeed )everywhere( in-every-part )upon all( men )

( they )fasten( attach )( bestow upon )( grant )

( to-by-for )philosophy( wisdom-love )

( the )belief( reputation-opinion )( expectation-glory )

( seeming )( o seeming )( they seem)

of the sort which( you )say,

πανταχῇ καὶ ἐπὶ πάντας δόξαν οἵαν λέγεις φιλοσοφίᾳ προσῆψαν.

ADEIMANTOS: o so true. and in addition to that,

she seems to demand ( holding myself back )

from things that seem most selfie to myself.

when what we say feels strange for me to say.

to hold me back from what, from my own speech?

from holding back itself? and so perplexed.

from ( fighting the familiar dark )? o goddess,

what would the familiar be, some shadow-me?

she holds me back from fighting — who or what?

HERA: o some( not quite nobody )nothing,

( he )( or she )( or things )needy( wanting )( lacking )

( being without )( not having )( falling short of )

( stinted in the matter of )( inferior to )( too weak for )

the( she )might( strength-force-power )of that( he ),

μηδέν τι βίην ἐπιδευέα κείνου:

ADEIMANTOS: o goddess shade ( sighs ) at leat its not a curse . . .

but still we wonder, which-he she means.

which he truly holds the might of she?

and barely does the thought occur to me,

of him in his cell, on that appointed day,

before ( the corners of my mouth ) tremble,

and soon my eyes melt into full-on weeping.

and youd laugh to see me its so pitiful.

but famously, this one doesnt shed a tear.

its not that easy for me ( holding something in ),

SAILORS: but which( things )?

τίνας δέ,

SOKRATES: whoa whoa whoa ( woah ).

( holding it together ) like a nobody

isnt the same as holding something in.

such as nobody often cries and complains.

but releasing lamentation without blame,

and slightly ( turning upwards ) at the end,

as almost self-misdirection,

SAILORS: he was saying,

ἔφη,

SOKRATES: so that when its time, its effortless again

to draw the bow or lyre with steady hands,

and ( like were not the one ) suffering our pain.

and when ( despite the hurdles ) and the games,

SAILORS: ( you )speak the destructions( ruins, passings-

away, deaths, corruptions ),

τὰς διαφθορὰς λέγεις;

SOKRATES: to speak ( despite the hurt ) not as somebody

( who needs holding ) but as Odysseus might,

when hes already at home in her arms.

ADEIMANTOS: ( whose arms, Poseidons seas or Penelopes? )

SOKRATES: or if it helps you bear our suffering,

come dream of being held right here in ours.

and lets go back and translate every time

Odysseus feels sorry for himself, together.

Nobody mourns his destiny a lot,

ADEIMANTOS: and makes a spectacle of himself too.

we love that part, when hes tossed by the waves.

( looks around at the calm seas ) ( gets to work )

ok, lets let Odysseus be wailing-through —

MEDEIS: O( to-by-for )me( we )ego( being )cowardly( vile,

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

what( someone )now( to-by-for )me longest-lasting( would be )born?

ὤ μοι ἐγὼ δειλός, τί νύ μοι μήκιστα γένηται;

ADEIMANTOS: o, hm. someone now . . . me = somebody?

wait. him? or. what . . . you? ( he sits puzzling-

out for an hour or two ) ( before announcing )

o nobodys, o somebodys, o Sokrates.

but maybe this is what the rowings for.

we seem to be, until now, an open question.

from hymn to Apollo

Republic VI

Odyssey V.300, XI.613-626

holding

lightness

Sep 25, 2026 ∞

VIII.xv. ( prayer ) head full of words ( shared thoughts ) of an unchained melody

ADEIMANTOS: friend Pan, and as many other we-beings as come

by this-she-here. grant me to be born by beauty

from within. but as many as we hold without,

may these, by me, be friends to things within.

so may these be my best attempts to mend

the parts of us available to me.

by me, may parts be fine for how they seem.

as circles, black or white, or sticks, or hearts,

or scat from butterfly, parts do not judge.

when shark, grant that we not slice-off my fin.

without which we cant swim nor steer nor stay

alive, removing which unholds me from myself.

and when we see me, fin-less, sink and die

and helpless at the bottom of the sea,

me-un-survived, yet would these mean no harm.

do we still need something else, Sokrates?

SOKRATES: ( and indeed )would come-to-know( perceive,

know by reflection, by observation, discern, distinguish,

recognize )and( indeed )truly( unconcealedly )

would( living )be alive,

γνοίη τε καὶ ἀληθῶς ζῴη

ADEIMANTOS: so would we be delivered from our sentences.

and to that end, grant me a ( head full of words )

that ( flood in ) from without, so wed be kept afloat

at favorable proportions to her wind,

SOKRATES: and( indeed )would be nurtured( reared, brought-up,

bringing-forth, maintained, supported, educated )

( thickening-curdled-congealed ),

καὶ τρέφοιτο

ADEIMANTOS: so that we may, through sound experience,

across the seas ( in all the languages ),

discover and recover kubernesis ( steering art ).

and may there be ( silly little things ) aswim

to keep us generously entertained,

SOKRATES: and( indeed )thus would cease

the labor-pangs( throes of childbirth ),

καὶ οὕτω λήγοι ὠδῖνος,

ADEIMANTOS: be our perfection ( not important ).

but not until ( a soup of sounds and phrases ) out,

of our many names and voices carried from

afar, meet in some kind of harmony,

SOKRATES: but not until( that ),

πρὶν δ᾽ οὔ;

HERAKLES: ( even indeed )( we )being a child

( slave, servant )of Zeus of Kronos,

Ζηνὸς μὲν πάϊς ἦα Κρονίονος,

SAILORS: and( three-hundred )as such,

ὡς οἷόν τ᾽,

SOKRATES: would we cease ( finding connections ) and binding-needs-

we-beingly vessels adrift, to make

and do ( the most important ) work,

SAILORS: ( he )was saying,

ἔφη,

SOKRATES: to demonstrate ( opening doors ) between,

and ( portraying the lightness ) and resilience of things

such as lyres, rainbows, longbows, and vessels,

SAILORS: ( the )most-measured( things ),

μετριώτατα.

SOKRATES: and still partaking in ( the stream ) of Ocean,

we being neither stranded, nor alone, but sheltered by

these ship-like temples ( of shared rooms ) abroad

and in uncharted territories,

HERA: but still, ( o she-being ), ( o she-dyad )being far

( in a far country and in after-times )away from you,

( we will )( meta-be )among( go-between )( go-in-quest-of )

( approach )( pursue-with-vengeance )( and have a share in,

go among, go seek, in quest of, a claim )to immortal gods,

ἀλλ᾽ ἀπὸ σεῖο

(330) τηλόθ᾽ ἐοῦσα θεοῖσι μετέσσομαι ἀθανάτοισιν.

SAILORS: to hate,

μισεῖν,

SOKRATES: neither the unknown, nor even the far from me,

nor indeed the strange, but always ( flowing two ways )

to trust and let ( the closeness ) of her heart

be sought and gathered by our speaking-through,

SAILORS: ( he )was saying,

ἔφη.

SOKRATES: so that we may be ( connecting the dots )

to give birth in and by the beautiful

to life, to animals, to human beings,

and earths in blessed commonwealth ( of shared thoughts ).

ALL: for common are the shes of friends, by which

we go and come, unchained and sailing again.

from hymn to Apollo

Republic VI

head full of words

shared air

Sep 20, 2026 ∞

VIII.xi. wellspring-gather( ring of hymns )

ADEIMANTOS: ( o self ) ( are we-he tame? )

( having patched-up yesterdays verses . . . )

( or are we thoroughly depraved? ) ( he grins )

( at our lavender looking-glass ) ( heart-breaker )

we break apart ( to tell himself ) ( out loud )

( that being-we ) we want to hear all of them,

SOKRATES: ( those him-things )which you —

( o dyad-Zeus )( it was binding )( bind, you )

( Zeus-needed-bound )( it was in-need )( need, you )

( the dyad-Zeus)( indeed )must — say,

to gather( recount, pick up, choose, speak, tell, reckon )

( the )accusations( against )philosophy( wisdom-love ),

that thoroughly-depraved( are the ones )

most( of )going-and-coming to her,

οὓς δὴ σὺ φῂς

τὸν ἐγκαλοῦντα τῇ φιλοσοφίᾳ λέγειν

ὡς παμπόνηροι οἱ πλεῖστοι τῶν ἰόντων ἐπ᾽ αὐτήν,

ADEIMANTOS: ( but whatever your words

for me ) your ideas ( and twists and turns )

( amaze me ) ( and transpose me ) every night

( its always better with you here ) ( really ),

SOKRATES: but the( ones )most fitting( meet-suitable )

( are )useless( unprofitable-unserviceable ),

οἱ δὲ ἐπιεικέστατοι ἄχρηστοι,

ADEIMANTOS: ( we offer ourself a raspberry-pink rose )

( we hope such as nobody had noticed

our makeover ) ( and indeed ) we say and mean it

( when we ) gather myself ( to say ),

SOKRATES: and( indeed )( we )i( being )agree

( yield-to )with( the )true( -she-unconcealed- )you( to )speak,

καὶ ἐγὼ συνεχώρησα ἀληθῆ σε λέγειν.

ADEIMANTOS: ( wipes tear )

and every morning ( we bask

in ) the good ( and brave ) ( and indigo-violet ) ( sunlight ),

SOKRATES: for( hey! )( he says )( as )( in truth )( we are ),

ἦ γάρ;

ADEIMANTOS: ( and ) indeed ( he says

the goddess brings the shade ) ( and )

the crazy ( man from two-thousand four-hundred-some-odd years ago )

( brings out ) the crazy ( love ),

HERA: and( indeed )now howsoever( we )i( being )would make

by art-skill-craft-cunning-device,

καὶ νῦν μέντοι ἐγὼ τεχνήσομαι,

ADEIMANTOS: ( as they sneak another banana peel

under my feet ) ( and yet ) ( from these

slipped lines we make ) tight knots

( to be seaworthy ) even the silly ones,

SAILOR: ( by the )ship( yes ),

ναί.

ADEIMANTOS: because youll never know

( how the final beastie boy ) ( with his beastie bow )

( or our little tramp ) ( will take shape ) over parts,

HERA: as my( o whole )child would( o )( to-by-for )( she-original )

( come-to-be )be born,

ὥς κε γένηται

παῖς ἐμός,

ADEIMANTOS: what will stick ( together )

( what falls apart ) ( or in the wake )

( what changes him around again )

unravelling ( our riiiptide ) ( as we go ),

SOKRATES: therefore havent( we )gone-through( completed )

( shot-through )( recounted )( reached )( arrived at )the cause

even( indeed )of( the )uselessness( unprofitable-unserviceableness )

of the fitting( meet-suitable )ones?

οὐκοῦν τῆς μὲν τῶν ἐπιεικῶν ἀχρηστίας τὴν αἰτίαν διεληλύθαμεν;

ADEIMANTOS: and that ( while

remaining ) out of sight

( of mortal men ),

HERA: he would self-distinguish among immortal gods,

ὅς κε θεοῖσι μεταπρέποι ἀθανάτοισιν,

ADEIMANTOS: ( o goddess, thank you for

your spoken confidence ) ( you fill us with pride )

( and indeed that ) isnt even why

( we keep on sailing ) in secret,

( or at least dont advertise ),

SAILORS: and( indeed )very( dyad-teen spirit ),

καὶ μάλα.

ADEIMANTOS: but hearing them ( the little mens )

( and spinning hymns ) ( under her protections )

from everyone ( whos blind to the invisible ),

( as he roams across the surface of her soul )

( digging up her soil and stirring up her storms ),

HERA: by shaming( disfiguring )( dishonoring )( defiling )

neither your sacred( shrine )bed,

nor mine of her( own )self,

οὔτε σὸν αἰσχύνασ᾽ ἱερὸν λέχος οὔτ᾽ ἐμὸν αὐτῆς.

ADEIMANTOS: ( with the high-stepping of his sweet summer child ),

( we keep her safe and luxuriantly savage )

( a fool ) ( yet somehow true ) ( a singing-through )

but you ( saw and knew her ) in the first place.

from hymn to Apollo

Republic VI

wellspring

gather

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 ),