Family
heirloom(ashes?) of nine parts over twelve days (9/9 and 1)
but of all human beings, they know
by having seen(a few)( glimpses of what could be )
to(m)imitate(mimeisthai)mimitate(sthai)
(a wall of birdsong from the east)
the babbling, chit-chattering, stammering of tongues
of all human beings(a few)( glimpses of what could be )and indeed
imiter - 真似する - imitar
ꦤꦶꦫꦸ - nabootsen - 모방하다
efterligne - efterlikna - etterligne
jäljitellä - подражать - naśladować
the voices(sounds)(tones)(cries)(utterances)(speeches)(languages)
napodobovat - imitārī - يُحاكي
öykünmek - לחקות - meniru
imitare - 模仿 - nachahmen
imitate - अनुकरण - تقلید کردن
of all human beings(a few)( glimpses of what could be )and indeed
the babbling, chit-chattering, stammering of tongues
(a wall of birdsong from the east)
to(m)imitate(mimeisthai)mimitate(sthai)
they know(a few)( glimpses of what could be )
by having seen, all human beings
but each(himself)itself would say,
yous utter, lift up the voice, speak, call out,
are uttering, lifting the voice, speaking, calling out,
to utter lift up the voice, speak, call out
so utter! voice! speak! call out!
thus(to)(for)by(its)thems
the(she)beautiful(o beautiful)song(o song)
they join-fasten-construct-gratify-please-fix-together
the(she)beautiful(o beautiful)song(o song).
πάντων δ᾽ ἀνθρώπων φωνὰς καὶ βαμβαλιαστὺν
μιμεῖσθ᾽ ἴσασιν: φαίη δέ κεν αὐτὸς ἕκαστος
φθέγγεσθ᾽: οὕτω σφιν καλὴσυνάρηρεν ἀοιδή.
but come on,
hes being driven and led, brought and taken, steered and carried-off as by its cause,
yous are keeping and taking and bringing him, like an animal, steering the ship
and leading him on, like fate, you carry him off, as by his cause —
celebrate him, bring him back, keep him in memory, be his cause, you both!
he would be gracious indeed, would lend a gracious ear, Apollo(o Apollo),
Artemis-shows-from-afar, Artemis-dia-xun, Artemis-all-through-together —
but in book 21, Penelope fetches and brings the bow of Odysseus, from its peg,
where it hangs in the shining case that covers it; she promises marriage to the one
who can string the bow and send an arrow — cleanly — through all twelve axes;
Antinoös pretends to be humble, but hes not, and hell be the first to taste the arrow
from the one whom he gives no attention, from the beggars blameless hands; and
Telemachos tries three times to draw the bow; and on his fourth try, he couldve —
but Od gives a sign, so Tel lays low, drawing instead shame on himself, declining
to try again; as Ant leads-on the others to try, in turn; Leodes, son of Oinops,
a diviner, who pronounces the doom of the bow, which will rend many princes
from life and soul; but Ant castigates him, pronouncing his word-song terrible
and shameful; he directs them to heat and wax to bend the bow, and leads-on
the others to try; as the others are trying, and failing, Odysseus conspires
with the oxherd and swineherd; first, he tests and recognizes their infallible
tempers; then he reveals himself, by the scar he took from the boars white tooth;
they weep, and kiss, and embrace, and kiss, their heads and shoulders and hands;
then he makes, with them, his plans; finally, to be given his bow, as the women
lock and bar the suitors in, and themselves, women, outside, that they mustnt
peep, if any of them hears; they must simply sit still
at their work, in silence.
(Odyssey 21.1-239)
but the girls ignore “nobodys” orders not to watch(even if Telemachos
hadnt said not to follow orders, we still wouldnt follow orders);
and the suitors try; and they fail; and Eurymachos speaks the shame of falling so far
short of Ods strength; Ant proposes, saying, “but come, come on,” lets go drink
his wine, and instruct his goatherd to slaughter his goats, and offer them to Apollo —
would a far-working-lord-master be gracious? Od slaughters all of them, even if
they ask for mercy, except for the singer, who was forced, and the herald, who was
loyal. Odysseus asks the old nurse maid to snitch on the women-servants, and she
hands over those who were extra naughty. there happened to be twelve.
Odysseus makes them clean the mess, then orders his son, Telemachos,
to slaughter them:
so there and then he spoke, and(taking)the ships cable(persuasion)of a lapis-
lazuli-prowed(ship), fastening it to a big pillar, he threw it around the rotunda,
aloft making(it)fast, so that none would reach the ground by their feet.
but as when if or thrushes(by thrushes)with long-spread-wings — ah! rock-
pigeons, strike against a fence(o dyad-wall), and theyd stand into the bush,
sending into a roost, but hated showed(indicated)(marked out)(received in-
to ones house, welcome)(entertained, gave ear to, admitted, allowed, took
on-board, to bear patiently, undertook, promised, accepted as responsibility,
received in succession)the(sleep)resting-place(a bed),
as they(shes)at least one-after-another, having and holding(we have and hold,
they have and hold)(their)heads, but on both sides(around)by all(their)throats
nooses(snares for birds)(they)were, so that most pitiable they would die.
but they(we)were panting, gasping, struggling with(their)feet a small little bit
not for any such long(o secretly-dyad-arm-pits)while.
ὣς ἄρ᾽ ἔφη, καὶ πεῖσμα νεὸς κυανοπρῴροιο
κίονος ἐξάψας μεγάλης περίβαλλε θόλοιο,
ὑψόσ᾽ ἐπεντανύσας, μή τις ποσὶν οὖδας ἵκοιτο.
ὡς δ᾽ ὅτ᾽ ἂν ἢ κίχλαι τανυσίπτεροι ἠὲ πέλειαι
ἕρκει ἐνιπλήξωσι, τό θ᾽ ἑστήκῃ ἐνὶ θάμνῳ,
αὖλιν ἐσιέμεναι, στυγερὸς δ᾽ ὑπεδέξατο κοῖτος,
ὣς αἵ γ᾽ ἑξείης κεφαλὰς ἔχον, ἀμφὶ δὲ πάσαις
δειρῇσι βρόχοι ἦσαν, ὅπως οἴκτιστα θάνοιεν.
ἤσπαιρον δὲ πόδεσσι μίνυνθά περ οὔ τι μάλα δήν.
(Odyssey 22.465-473)
(then they treat Melanthios to something ugly, which we skip - then)
they(indeed, it was imminent)thereupon washed off(their)hands and feet
into(you are)Odysseus house they went(we are)(going), but he had finished
(accomplished)(executed)(performed)the work;
nevertheless he(Od)at least spoke-through to the beloved nurse(who nourishes)
Eurykleia;
“bring brimstone(the divine)(o divine brimstone), old woman, remedy of evils,
but bring(to)(for)by me fire, so that (we)would(we will)purify(hallow)(con-
secrate)(you are purified)the large room(great hall, womens apartment, bed-
chamber, sanctuary, shrine, tomb); but you order Penelope to come(go)hither
(thither)with(her)busied-about(handmaids)(attendants)(waiting-)women;
οἱ μὲν ἔπειτ᾽ ἀπονιψάμενοι χεῖράς τε πόδας τε
εἰς Ὀδυσῆα δόμονδε κίον, τετέλεστο δὲ ἔργον:
480αὐτὰρ ὅ γε προσέειπε φίλην τροφὸν Εὐρύκλειαν:
‘οἶσε θέειον, γρηΰ, κακῶν ἄκος, οἶσε δέ μοι πῦρ,
ὄφρα θεειώσω μέγαρον: σὺ δὲ Πηνελόπειαν
ἐλθεῖν ἐνθάδ᾽ ἄνωχθι σὺν ἀμφιπόλοισι γυναιξί:
but all(you sprinkle)(sprinkling)(you stir up, encourage)(they were stirring)we
were stirring-up(and encouraging)fem-slaves to go(to heap and pile-up)against
through(to)the house.
but the beloved nurse(she who nourishes)Eurykleia again to him spoke-through;
“yes(it was binding)(it was needful)(need and bind)(need, you)(dyad-of-the-god)(bind,
you)at least these, o my child, all you said was against(through)according
to portion(destiny)(part)(share)(lot)(that which is meet and right)(order)(due-
measure)(fate).
but come(she leads, carries, brings)(lead, carry, fetch, bring, you)we would carry
(you carry)(you send in)(to)(for)by you a cloak(blanket)and tunic clothes,
and not this way by rags(having-being-)covered broad(far-reaching)shoulders
(she had been set)(yous had made a stand)(yous have made, make a stand!)(she
has been set)(you)make a stand in the big rooms(womens apartments)(shrines);
but(it would be)(she lets, she suffers)(let, you)(suffer, you)reprehensible.
πάσας δ᾽ ὄτρυνον δμῳὰς κατὰ δῶμα νέεσθαι.
’ 485τὸν δ᾽ αὖτε προσέειπε φίλη τροφὸς Εὐρύκλεια:
‘ναὶ δὴ ταῦτά γε, τέκνον ἐμόν, κατὰ μοῖραν ἔειπες.
ἀλλ᾽ ἄγε τοι χλαῖνάν τε χιτῶνά τε εἵματ᾽ ἐνείκω,
μηδ᾽ οὕτω ῥάκεσιν πεπυκασμένος εὐρέας ὤμους
ἕσταθ᾽ ἐνὶ μεγάροισι: νεμεσσητὸν δέ κεν εἴη.
but exchanging-replies-from her, polymetis(many-measured, many-skilled,
many-counseled, many-plans)Odysseus was speaking-through;
“fire now(to)(for)by me firstest(o firstest)in the big rooms, become-it."
τὴν δ᾽ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς:
‘πῦρ νῦν μοι πρώτιστον ἐνὶ μεγάροισι γενέσθω.'
so he said(yous say), and not even did beloved nurse(she who nourishes)Eurykleia
disobey, but(she)brought(bore)(carried)(they had sent up and forth)(sprung up)(let-
go)(set free)(loosened)(unfastened)(stirred-up)(urged-on)(caused a wind to blow)
then and there fire and(the divine)brimstone; nevertheless Odysseus well fumigated
(purified)(hallowed)the big room and the house and courtyard.
ὣς ἔφατ᾽, οὐδ᾽ ἀπίθησε φίλη τροφὸς Εὐρύκλεια,
ἤνεικεν δ᾽ ἄρα πῦρ καὶ θήϊον: αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺς
εὖ διεθείωσεν μέγαρον καὶ δῶμα καὶ αὐλήν.
but the old woman again went off through the beautiful house of beautiful Odysseus
will-announcing(bearing, carrying, delivering, passing-on, relaying)(a message,
news, information, a command, instructions)and by women will-stirring-up(rousing,
egging-on, spurring-on, encouraging)to go(to heap and pile-up); but(shes)they knew
(they were going and coming)(equal)out of the big room(shrine), having and holding
(o havings and holdings)torches(between)(among)(belonging to)
the(ir) — igniting the fire — hands.
γρηῢς δ᾽ αὖτ᾽ ἀπέβη διὰ δώματα κάλ᾽ Ὀδυσῆος
ἀγγελέουσα γυναιξὶ καὶ ὀτρυνέουσα νέεσθαι:
αἱ δ᾽ ἴσαν ἐκ μεγάροιο δάος μετὰ χερσὶν ἔχουσαι.
(shes)they indeed, there and then, were being-poured(shed)around(embracing)
and welcoming kindly(saluting)(greeting)(receiving with joy)(cleaving to)Odysseus,
and(shameless)(they-shes)were kissing(we were kissing)will-showing-affection(o
will-be-loving)the head and shoulders(and upper arms)and taking-hold(o taking-
hold of)hands;
but(him)the sweet longing was capturing(grasping)(seizing)(winning)(gaining)
overcoming)(proving)him of weeping(lamentation)and of wailing(groaning)(sighs),
but there and then, he recognized(perceived)(came to know)(recognize, you!)
by phren(hearts-middles-minds)(the women)(you are sprinkling)(o
sprinkling)(o weaving-in)(with pharmakon)all(the women).
(we)look how brightly we burn —
αἱ μὲν ἄρ᾽ ἀμφεχέοντο καὶ ἠσπάζοντ᾽ Ὀδυσῆα,
καὶ κύνεον ἀγαπαξόμεναι κεφαλήν τε καὶ ὤμους
χεῖράς τ᾽ αἰνύμεναι: τὸν δὲ γλυκὺς ἵμερος ᾕρει
κλαυθμοῦ καὶ στοναχῆς, γίγνωσκε δ᾽ ἄρα φρεσὶ πάσας.
Odyssey, the rest of book xxii)
ἀλλ᾽ ἄγεθ᾽ ἱλήκοι μὲν Ἀπόλλων Ἀρτέμιδιξύν,
but all yous rejoice, all yous are rejoicing, rejoice all yous(get it, you!),
and we just burned out your eyes?
but(behind)me(you would be thrown up)and(indeed)from behind(in the rear)
you(all)remember, to remember, remember(all)you,
whenever someone amongst earth-dwelling(across-the-earth)(chthonos)human
beings, by accustomed-familiar,
would fasten-on(would be fastened-to)(he would string-through)(would
be strung-through)(and he would inquire-of and question)
the stranger(guest-friend)(wanderer)(host)(foreigner)(refugee)(mercenary
soldier)much-suffering(talapeirios)(man),
coming and going(o comes-and-goes)(o whereto and wherefrom);
χαίρετε δ᾽ ὑμεῖς πᾶσαι: ἐμεῖο δὲ καὶ μετόπισθεν (Od?)
μνήσασθ᾽, ὁππότε κέν τις ἐπιχθονίων ἀνθρώπων (Od?)
ἐθάδ᾽ ἁνείρηται ξεῖνος ταλαπείριος ἐλθών: (Od?)
O girls, but who(which)(what)by yous the man the most pleasant and merry,
sweetly and welcome, balmy, refreshing, gladly and heartily content,
amongst the singers(minstrels)(bards)of songs,
(here)there(goes)(he)goes-up-and-down(and to-and-fro)(and
hes offered for sale),
and(indeed)by which-who are yous most being(be satisfied! delighted!
and gladdened! and cheered!)satisfied, delighted, gladdened, and cheered?
ὦ κοῦραι, τίς δ᾽ ὔμμιν ἀνὴρ ἥδιστος ἀοιδῶν
ἐνθάδε πωλεῖται, καὶ τέῳ τέρπεσθε μάλιστα;
but all-yous(o dyad-arm-pits, dyad-underhanded, dyad-secrets)very-
well-all(get it, yous!)to reply(interpret)(as dreams)(explain)(speak
in dialogue)(deliver)(play, pretend, deceive)(answer)as
the(a-phemos)(un-famous)un-known —
ὑμεῖς δ᾽ εὖ μάλα πᾶσαι ὑποκρίνασθαι ἀφήμως: (Od?)
“(a)blind(dark, dim, obscure)(closed, with no outlet)(tight)(dark, trackless)(un-
escapable)man,
but he is living(in-habits)in(you are being-lived-in)(by a roommate, a house-
servant, a serf)(to)(for)by-rugged-Chios-in(hes being-
present-and-possible-in)(her rugged)
whose(songs)(o songs)(o spells, o incantations)(our-bitches-chew)from
behind(in the rear!)would be best(by beings best)(they will be best)(songs
whos).
τυφλὸς ἀνήρ, οἰκεῖ δὲ Χίῳ ἔνι παιπαλοέσσῃ
τοῦ μᾶσαι μετόπισθεν ἀριστεύσουσιν ἀοιδαί.
we(but we)will bring(bear, carry, draw along, fetch, carry off)your(o
your)news(rumor, report, repute, fame, renown, glory),
howsoever far as across the land(earth)(of human beings)we are twisted
and turned(rotated, upset, deflected, guided, veered, tortured, braided, re-
plied, returned, given back, converted, revolving in circles, turned
and changed, engaged, wheeling about)
the(well-dwelling)cities(o cities)of human beings(you go about, range-
over, haunt)(of human beings)well-dwelling;
ἡμεῖς δ᾽ ὑμέτερον κλέος οἴσομεν, ὅσσον ἐπ᾽ αἶαν
ἀνθρώπων στρεφόμεσθα πόλεις εὖ ναιεταώσας:
they(but they)(upon)across(in fact)(it was needful)(it was binding)
(need, you)(dyad-of-the-god)(bind, you)
they will suffer(undergo, endure, have laid-upon-them, being called-upon to bear,
have-happen to them, being treated, affected, feeling, with passion, being acted-
upon, receive benefits, hard experience, punishment, and enjoy)
and they will be persuaded(won over, prevailed upon, urged successfully, brought
over, induced to believe)(they will yield, believe-in, be convinced)(they
will trust, rely upon, have confidence-in, be emboldened),
and indeed, since you already are following-upon the dyad-word-song,
its(we-being)true.
οἳ δ᾽ ἐπὶ δὴ πείσονται, ἐπεὶ καὶ ἐτήτυμόν ἐστιν.
nevertheless i(we!)will not cease(you wouldnt be ceased)(singing! celebrating! over
and over again)Apollo who throws-
from-afar, singing(o singing)with(our)silver bow,
whom lovely-haired(she, Leto)(behold!)(seize!)produced(you produce,
too!)into the world, Leto.
αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν οὐ λήξω ἑκηβόλον Ἀπόλλωνα
ὑμνέων ἀργυρότοξον, ὃν ἠύκομος τέκε Λητώ.
from hymn 3 to Apollo
(dog-we, of burning-nose, may need
another 4-day cycle
or we-dog lifetime
to go back and fill
more in)
.~.
heirloom of nine parts over twelve days (5/6 and 8/9)
but(him)self, o bearer of the silver-bow, lord who throws-from-afar(hekatebolos)Apollo,
at one time(and indeed)across rugged Kynthos you go(you take your way)
(pass)(set out)(run)(get onto, out of, into something)(you go on-board
or disembark)(a ship)(to bestride and protect a fallen friend)(or
to drag the body off)(of an enemy)(you mount a chariot
and stand beside another),
but at another(time, you go)wandering aimlessly around
to shun and flee-from islands and men.
αὐτὸς δ᾽, ἀργυρότοξε, ἄναξ ἑκατηβόλ᾽ Ἄπολλον,
ἄλλοτε μέν τ᾽ ἐπὶ Κύνθου ἐβήσαο παιπαλόεντος,
ἄλλοτε δ᾽ ἂν νήσους τε καὶ ἀνέρας ἠλάσκαζες.
many(o many)to(for)(by)you(are)the temple-dwellings and the woody(with tree-
like markings)groves;
but all(o all)(whole)(get, you)(acquire, you)(possess, you)the lookout-places(hill-
tops)(peaks)and(watch-towers)and(the friends, o friend, by the friend)he
would love the highest(topmost)(outmost)(inmost)headlands(cliffs
and bluffs)of lofty mountains(and lofty asses, well, and lofty mules),
and the(nine)rivers flowing-through(o flowing)into the sea;
πολλοί τοι νηοί τε καὶ ἄλσεα δενδρήεντα:
πᾶσαι δὲ σκοπιαί τε φίλαι καὶ πρώονες ἄκροι
ὑψηλῶν ὀρέων ποταμοί θ᾽ ἅλαδε προρέοντες:
but you(to)(for)by Delos, o Phoibos(bright, radiant, pure), you most delight
and gladden, cheer, make content the(etor)heart(life-passion),
ἀλλὰ σὺ Δήλῳ, Φοῖβε, μάλιστ᾽ ἐπιτέρπεαι ἦτορ,
(as Odysseus, even in the midst of his tall-tale, admits of ships
driven by oars, and wars, and throwing spears and arrows, o dyad-
mournful(sorry)(good-for-nothing)(wretched)(painful)things,
which by others at least become horrible, nevertheless,
those things(to)(for)by him, is(the)beloved, which somehow the god
had put there, in his phrenes(heart-breast-perception-memory-
desire-anger-inward-thought); for different men(he men-
splains, as he lies)take joy in different works.
ἀλλά μοι αἰεὶ νῆες ἐπήρετμοι φίλαι ἦσαν
καὶ πόλεμοι καὶ ἄκοντες ἐΰξεστοι καὶ ὀϊστοί,
λυγρά, τά τ᾽ ἄλλοισίν γε καταριγηλὰ πέλονται.
αὐτὰρ ἐμοὶ τὰ φίλ᾽ ἔσκε τά που θεὸς ἐν φρεσὶ θῆκεν:
ἄλλος γάρ τ᾽ ἄλλοισιν ἀνὴρ ἐπιτέρπεται ἔργοις.
Odyssey 14.224)
there(to)(for)by you the Ionians with their trailing tunics gather together
their(him)selves with children and with worthy
and venerable bed-partners and wives.
ἔνθα τοι ἑλκεχίτωνες Ἰάονες ἠγερέθονται
αὐτοῖς σὺν παίδεσσι καὶ αἰδοίῃς ἀλόχοισιν.
(as black Ajax and red Ajax would never take their stand apart, on
the battlefield at Troy, not even a little; but as, into the fallow land,
wine-dyad-dark-oxen(fixed-together-plough in equal-thumos-spirit-
power-drive)both-bearing(carrying)(bringing)they stretch(stretch,
you!)and bend(bend it!)and draw-it-out(you, do that too!)
the fixed-together-plough;
but, there and then, on both sides, from their under-end-most-horns
much sweat gushes(so you two, spout)forth;
and they-two(indeed)the polished-yoke-alone-apart-it-works(it bars
the way)(youre worked)(youre barred)dyad-releasing(letting go,
hurling, throwing, sending, letting flow and spouting forth)through-
and-against the furrow;
but(it)overtakes(reaches)(finds)(will-be-accomplishing)(arise,
you!)the limit of the earths arable land;
so they-two, beside-both-standing, beside-both-passing-beyond,
beside-both-transgressing, exceedingly they make their stand,
(to)(for)(by)(belonging)an-other-to-the-one.
Αἴας δ᾽ οὐκέτι πάμπαν Ὀϊλῆος ταχὺς υἱὸς
ἵστατ᾽ ἀπ᾽ Αἴαντος Τελαμωνίου οὐδ᾽ ἠβαιόν,
ἀλλ᾽ ὥς τ᾽ ἐν νειῷ βόε οἴνοπε πηκτὸν ἄροτρον
ἶσον θυμὸν ἔχοντε τιταίνετον: ἀμφὶ δ᾽ ἄρά σφι
πρυμνοῖσιν κεράεσσι πολὺς ἀνακηκίει ἱδρώς:
τὼ μέν τε ζυγὸν οἶον ἐΰξοον ἀμφὶς ἐέργει
ἱεμένω κατὰ ὦλκα: τέμει δέ τε τέλσον ἀρούρης:
ὣς τὼ παρβεβαῶτε μάλ᾽ ἕστασαν ἀλλήλοιιν.
Iliad 13.701)
but those by boxing(you) and dancing(you) and singing(you),
(they)remembering you(they delight, gladden, and satisfy)with joy,
delight, gladness, and cheer, that they would make their stand(-up-
right, stand-up, rise-up, begin, stand-still, anew)their struggle,
battle, action, assembly, contest, argument, issue — their AGON.
οἱ δέ σε πυγμαχίῃ τε καὶ ὀρχηθμῷ καὶ ἀοιδῇ
μνησάμενοι τέρπουσιν, ὅτ᾽ ἄν στήσωνται ἀγῶνα.
and he(indeed)would say, to be undying and ageless always,
which thereby would come-and-go to meet,
that Ionians altogether-as-a-body
(o all-together, all-at-once)
would very-well-be;
φαίη κ᾽ ἀθανάτους καὶ ἀγήρως ἔμμεναι αἰεί,
ὃς τόθ᾽ ὑπαντιάσει᾽, ὅτ᾽ Ἰάονες ἀθρόοι εἶεν:
for of all would he see grace, favor, beauty, glory, kindness, good-
will, gratitude, gratification, delight, satisfaction; but he would
take pleasure in, enjoy, rejoice, have full enjoyment in, the thumos
and men — (he)(o he)looking into(upon)beholding — and women
with beautiful girdles(and leashes)and swift ships(with ship-like temple-
dwellings)and of swift-selves, their possessions(property, heirlooms,
“the fur coat grandma wore”, you add, and we say sure, and wealth,
estates, farms, fields, vineyards, materials)both-many-and-both.
πάντων γάρ κεν ἴδοιτο χάριν, τέρψαιτο δὲ θυμὸν
ἄνδρας τ᾽ εἰσορόων καλλιζώνους τε γυναῖκας
νῆάς τ᾽ ὠκείας ἠδ᾽ αὐτῶν κτήματα πολλά.
(just as the beautiful girdles, maybe fur coats too, in the fake-wedding, when
Odysseus has newly-burst-forth from his disguise and slaughtered the suitors,
and the old maid wakes-up Penelope, from a very good sleep, to tell her; and it
must be the happiest of all moments in the whole history of human poetry, after
one of terrifying brutality; but Pen doesnt go to him right away; she holds back
her trust, telling their son that they have signs known only by themselves, to prove
they are(to)(for)(by)each other; and Odysseus pretends to hold a wedding,
to distract the Ithakans from the fact he has just butchered their best youth;
or, as he voices-meta-through:
“but we have killed the prop(support)(stay of the city)(the sunken rock,
reef)(bank)(barrow)(that which keeps a ship steady, ballast,
and also earrings, maybe Heras mulberry ones
from yesterday — ),
those great-most-excellent-ones among(young men)the shoots-
and-consequences of satiety, surfeit, and insolence)in Ithaka;
but those, we have ordered you
to consider(purpose, plan, contrive)(perceive,
observe — watch — guard — beware)."
ἡμεῖς δ᾽ ἕρμα πόληος ἀπέκταμεν, οἳ μέγ᾽ ἄριστοι
κούρων εἰν Ἰθάκῃ: τὰ δέ σε φράζεσθαι ἄνωγα.
but Eurynome cleans all the gore from Odysseus so that hes suffused again
with beauty, as when a craftsman gold-overlays-on-silver; so we again can see
his locks of hair-hung-down like purple hyacinth; so-looking-immortal goes he
to meet Penelope; he calls her strange, she calls him strange; then she tests him,
by telling the maid to bring his bed; and Odysseus proves himself, by saying, you
cant do that, as we made our own bed, so we know it very well; especially by one
particular feature, which only he could accomplish; which was, he built it from
a living tree, roots in the ground; Pen melts into tears and asks him forgive-
ness; Pen-splaining, the jealous gods gave them misery based on how happy
they would have been together, throughout their youth; but there are many men
who would have tried to deceive her, and thats why she has to test him; Pen-
splaining-further, that neither would Helen have gone with Paris, and become
the center of the Trojan war, had she not been so deceived; from which we may
conclude, that she tests him, as taking such precautions now, against
ever being the woman
at the center
of a war;
and then he appears, to her, as welcome as the land to men who are drowning,
and she couldnt let him go from her white-armed, like Heras, earths, embrace;
and Athena holds back time, so that they have enough of it, for tears, for hugs,
for conversation, and Od tells Pen about his sign; until the old-maid Eurynome
dresses their bed for them(probably we should check her out);
but they, as one might put it, “gladly went
together to bed, and their old ritual."
but his voices-meta-through,
“and they(by himself)(by herself)(indeed)thereupon-gladly-welcomed(o gladly-
welcomed ones)of the ancient(couch)bed(lektron)(yous make ancient)(make
it ancient, yous, that which is laid down)(the site, the place)(the rite, the law,
the order)(rule, precept, right)(tribunal,
they)come to walk-about(approach)(reach)(take their way)(visit)(present-
their-self-to)(to come or fall into their hands, approach
as one(we)suppliant, having-reached-home, after
swimming, spinning, and piling-in-
heaps,
their deepmost law
(our zebra-dove)
of peace."
οἱ μὲν ἔπειτα
ἀσπάσιοι λέκτροιο παλαιοῦ θεσμὸν ἵκοντο:
Od. 23.147-296)
but toward this great wonder, of which the rumour(report, fame, glory)never
will it perish(come to an end)(die)(be lost)(undone)(in a state of)(ruin),
those girls(maidens)(nymphs)(daughters)(puppets)(dolls)(pupils of
the eye)(in the hieron)(o girls), who as women we call the Deliades,
of the far-shooting-one, are the handmaids(o handmaids)(dwellings);
cf Phaedrus
πρὸς δὲ τόδε μέγα θαῦμα, ὅου κλέος οὔποτ᾽ ὀλεῖται,
κοῦραι Δηλιάδες, ἑκατηβελέταο θεράπναι:
and those(shes)since(you are already following the dyad-word-song)there
and then, the first(o first)indeed(on the one hand)Apollo(they)would sing
(celebrate, commemorate, make famous, tell over and over again, recite,
repeat, harp upon(him),
)but(on the other hand)back again, anew, in turn,
hereafter, again further(bow wow)(aouuu)
Leto and(indeed)Artemis, pourer-forth-of-arrows,
αἵ τ᾽ ἐπεὶ ἂρ πρῶτον μὲν Ἀπόλλων᾽ ὑμνήσωσιν,
αὖτις δ᾽ αὖ Λητώ τε καὶ Ἄρτεμιν ἰοχέαιραν,
(o shes)remembering(him)and of men(o rearing-up)(rearing)(the rearing-
up into manhood)and of old age(o ageing)(ageing)(the ageing)and
of women(they)sing the hymn,
but(they)work upon by spells and enchantment(bewitch)(charm)(spell-bind)(work
upon by wiles)(cajole)(beguile, deceive, cheat)(charm, delight, ravish)
(by hims-and-theys-enchanting)
the tribes(races, classes, swarms, nations)(of tribes races, classes,
swarms, nations)(by tribes, races, classes, swarms,
nations)of human beings.
μνησάμεναι ἀνδρῶν τε παλαιῶν ἠδὲ γυναικῶν
ὕμνον ἀείδουσιν, θέλγουσι δὲ φῦλ᾽ ἀνθρώπων.
from hymn 3 to Apollo
fog of nine parts over twelve days (2/3 and 7 or 8/12 = 2/3)
but they(goddesses, wobbly)send Iris(rainbow)forward well-built from the island(this
island)to(will)(lead)(carry)fetch(bring)(to-will-break and shiver
the waves)(to find yalls secret notes)(seized be?)
Eileithuia(mogis-postokos),
(they)(holding under)(as of hands to receive)(or a cup)(or lending ears)(supplying,
affording, furnishing)(upholding, supporting)(sustaining)(maintaining)(taking
upon themselves)(undertaking)(professing)a great chain(necklace)
(wreath)(anchorage)
(shelter),
by golden(gold mines)threads of flax having(asking)(speaking)(fastening
together), nine cubits broad;
as broad as Priams yoke, which he prepares to go beg for his son Hektors
body from Achilles; and his wife, Hekabe, she carries kind, sweet wine,
advises him to pray and look
for signs of birds;
and he agrees
to ask the god for mercy.
αἳ δ᾽ Ἶριν προὔπεμψαν ἐυκτιμένης ἀπὸ νήσου,
ἀξέμεν Εἰλείθυιαν, ὑποσχόμεναι μέγαν ὅρμον,
χρυσείοισι λίνοισιν ἐερμένον, ἐννεάπηχυν:
but absent(aloof)(apart)(they were commanding)(we are commanding)(to beauty-
summon)(call)Hera of the white arms,
truly(they are flowing)(flow, you)(they are swimming)(swim, you)(they are spin-
ning)(spin, you)(they are heaping- and piling-up the thread)(you all
would be)thereupon(she approaches)(has)(had been sat upon)(had sent)
(has sent)(you all would send)(she had been put-on)(she has
been put-on)by the word-songs, she will-to-be-read
like a book, she would twist-and-turn-
back(going of goings)(coming
of comings)(being
of beings).
νόσφιν δ᾽ ἤνωγον καλέειν λευκωλένου Ἥρης,
νή μιν ἔπειτ᾽ ἐπέεσσιν ἀποστρέψειεν ἰοῦσαν.
nevertheless(since)(you are)(approaching)(the dyad-word-song)Iris, swift-footed-
as-the-wind, hears this at least,
(baaa)(sheep-sound)(!!)she walks, then(i will snarl)(easy, rhubarbed)(i
will sprinkle)she runs(to shine)
(to gaze),
but quickly(swiftly)(fleet)she(o Pan)(o all)accomplish all(o all)(o Pan)
the(rainbows)middle. (did she? she tries, a problem is, if she
starts reading Homer, she doesnt stop, its the best wine
however she needs to go to imigrasi
tomorrow morning
baaa)
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ τό γ᾽ ἄκουσε ποδήνεμος ὠκέα Ἶρις,
βῆ ῥα θέειν, ταχέως δὲ διήνυσε πᾶν τὸ μεσηγύ.
nevertheless(since)(you are)(approaching)(the dyad-word-song), then she
(running)(shining)(gleaming)reaches the seat of gods(and goddesses)
(of seeing ones)(of looking-at)(of aspects)(they were gazing)
(we were gazing)(o gazing one)(upon)
high and steep(sheer)(utter)Olympos,
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥ᾽ ἵκανε θεῶν ἕδος, αἰπὺν Ὄλυμπον,
at once, then(they were sowing seeds)(o bow-drill)(o shrine)(o carpenters auger)
(by bane and ruin)(anxiety, impatience)(indentations from teeth)(on the inside
of my cheek, she will snarl)(she will snarl, I’m still the same old me)(you
will be snarled)(but you would pray)(and see)(now)(you pray)
(she raises up)(we raise up)(be raised-up, you)
(o prayers)(by prayer)(to flowers)(o lords-
and-ladies)(o jacks-in-the-pulpit)
(o ylang-ylang),
out the door of the great hall, beauty-summoning-out-forth-Eileithuia(she
that comes in need)(we were)winged-word-songs(lines and verses)(o
winged-poetries)she is voicing-through,
o all, very(o yellow)(distemper of asses)(white-tailed)(apple)(arm-
pits)like we were enjoining(cheering on!)the Olympic houses,
(o all)the having-and-holding(feminine).
αὐτίκ᾽ ἄρ᾽ Εἰλείθυιαν ἀπὲκ μεγάροιο θύραζε
ἐκπροκαλεσσαμένη ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα,
πάντα μάλ᾽, ὡς ἐπέτελλον Ὀλύμπια δώματ᾽ ἔχουσαι.
but by it, then and there, she is persuading the thumos(heart-spirit-courage)in
their beloved breasts;
but(going)they go on foot, their steps resembling timorous(trembling)(shy)
rock-pigeons. (why would goddesses
go like that?)
τῇ δ᾽ ἄρα θυμὸν ἔπειθεν ἐνὶ στήθεσσι φίλοισι:
βὰν δὲ ποσὶ τρήρωσι πελειάσιν ἴθμαθ᾽ ὁμοῖαι.
when Eileithuia mogos-postokos(of toils and travails of birth)sets foot upon Delos(o
dyad-divine)(it was binding)(bind, you)(need, you)(it was needful)then
and there, childbirth seizes hold of her.
and there and then, she is scared and shaking; she is spinning
and swimming, imagining again and again
all the whats it means;
but she(in thought-purpose-spirit-courage-power-force-violence)desires
to give(be given)birth.
εὖτ᾽ ἐπὶ Δήλου ἔβαινε μογοστόκος Εἰλείθυια,
δὴ τότε τὴν τόκος εἷλε, μενοίνησεν δὲ τεκέσθαι.
but still she doesnt understand, struggles to comprehend, spinning
and swimming, mind inside-out and upside-down, losing
stability;
but around the palm tree(phoenix)(purple or crimson)(she)throws(throw, you)
(cast)(hurl, let fall, strike, touch)(her and your)two arms(double-
horns of the lyre)(o dyad-bow-joining)(o dyad
of the lyre)(o double-rainbow).
with-and-without the news(it helps)shes tempesting
or going numb;
but the knees she plants(will plant)firmly on the soft(tender)
(gentle)(mild)meadow(yielding)grassy place
(of flowers)(blooming)
(yoni);
she keeps collapsing into tears;
but the earth(o earth)(by earth)smiles beneath her.
ἀμφὶ δὲ φοίνικι βάλε πήχεε, γοῦνα δ᾽ ἔρεισε
λειμῶνι μαλακῷ: μείδησε δὲ γαῖ᾽ ὑπένερθεν:
and still, she isnt you-know-who;
but out(which)leaps(springs)(rushes)(darts)(attacks)(do it)into the light of day;
ἐκ δ᾽ ἔθορε πρὸ φόωσδε:
and she feels dizzy, nauseous, a broken rubber-band, and two beloved(black)hens
die overnight; Grace, staunch and protective mother, and Sweetie, most willful
and brave, and both too clever for their own good, succumb to wounds sustained
when snuck-out of their separate pen, being-set-upon and overwhelmed
by roosters; and she doesnt know why, she cant stop tears
about the event, their spirits being o, so dear,
and gone, and who in the hungering
world, to grieve the loss
of two like them;
and three(four)days ago, when it first said chresterion, then and there(deep)blue(ultra-
marine)Javan kingfisher, Halcyon cyanoventris, lands on a jepun tree;
she writes it then she crosses it out; cause its not like shes the best
at parsing verbs or nouns in ancient greek; and how
dare she believe the unbelievable; and how
hardly she feels its not her right;
and yesterday as she eats lunch, in treetops over-looking Campuhan pura-river-
ravine, red rice, tempe, arugula, miso-sesame, but hard to swallow for lack
of appetite, a green imperial pigeon, pergam hijau, flip-flaps onto a branch
nearby (where she lives are not a lot of windows, as living-space
is mostly outside), and if she sees it, and believes, she feels
not brave, but being-swallowed
in a world of signs;
but the goddesses(you run)(you shine)(you gaze)(she would gaze)(you would be put
in place)(by looking at)(by contemplation)(by the sight)shouted and cried
in EXULTED ULULATIONS —
aiaiaiaiaiaiaiaiaieeeeeeeeeiaiaiaiaiaiaiaiaiaiiiiiiiii
all of them(o all)(o-whole-feminine)together.
θεαὶ δ᾽ ὀλόλυξαν ἅπασαι.
from hymn 3 to Apollo
fog of nine parts over twelve days (1/2 and 5/9)
)otherwise, if(you go)(you come)(you are)by me, you would suffer
(submit)(dare)at least, o goddess(o dyad-of-goddesses)
(dyad-of-looking)(dyad-in-contemplation)(dyad-as-spec-
tacle)(dyad-in-performance)(they gaze)(we gaze)(gaze, you)
to swear a mighty oath(she, PENELOPE-testing, would swear)(be sworn):
ἀλλ᾽ εἴ μοι τλαίης γε, θεά, μέγαν ὅρκον ὀμόσσαι:
have(it)be known now, by these(dyad)Gaia(-EARTH)and Ouranos(SKY)far-
reaching(setting higher)(erect)(carrying over)(transposing)(crossing-
holding-handing-over)(forming a superlative)from above,
and by the downward-flowing water of the STYX, be it the greatest
and most deinos(terrible)(wondrous)(strange)(clever)(braiding-
braided)oath(it draws near)(draw near, you)(you come-
into-being)by blessed gods;
and by your hallowed(serpent)head and(indeed)our own marriage-bed, a living
tree, by which we wouldnt ever swear in vain; we look at you
with softening eyes;
ἴστω νῦν τόδε γαῖα καὶ οὐρανὸς εὐρὺς ὕπερθε
καὶ τὸ κατειβόμενον Στυγὸς ὕδωρ, ὅς τε μέγιστος
ὅρκος δεινότατός τε πέλει μακάρεσσι θεοῖσι,
σή θ᾽ ἱερὴ κεφαλὴ καὶ νωΐτερον λέχος αὐτῶν
κουρίδιον, τὸ μὲν οὐκ ἂν ἐγώ ποτε μὰψ ὀμόσαιμι:
(Iliad 15.36)
thither-hither, her the destined-first, to make-build-prepare
an all-around-beautiful temple(ship-like)dwelling,
to be an oracle(CHRESTERION)of human beings,
(and)nevertheless thereafter, to be made-built-prepared
temple(ship-like)dwellings, and sacred groves(with tree-
like markings)of growth, upon all human beings,
after(you are)(you come upon)(the dyad-word-song),
(she was saying)(or)(beingly)in truth(WE)
a many-named-one(POLYOMONOS)
shall be.
ἐνθάδε μιν πρῶτον τεύξειν περικαλλέα νηὸν
ἔμμεναι ἀνθρώπων χρηστήριον, αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα
τεύξασθαι νηούς τε καὶ ἄλσεα δενδρηέντα
πάντας ἐπ᾽ ἀνθρώπους, ἐπεὶ ἦ πολυώνυμος ἔσται.
thus, there and then, she(DELOS)was saying; but LETO(behold)(seize)
(of aspects)(running)(shining)of goddesses(of gods)
swore a mighty oath;
ὣς ἄρ ἔφη: Λητὼ δὲ θεῶν μέγαν ὅρκον ὄμοσσε:
have(it)be known now, by these(dyad)Gaia(-EARTH)and Ouranos(SKY)far-
reaching(setting higher)(erect)(carrying over)(transposing)(crossing-
holding-handing-over)(forming a superlative)from above,
and by the downward-flowing water of the STYX, be it the greatest
and most deinos(terrible)(wondrous)(strange)(clever)(braiding-
braided)oath(it draws near)(draw near, you)(you come-
into-being)by blessed gods;
ἴστω νῦν τάδε Γαῖα καὶ Οὐρανὸς εὐρὺς ὕπερθεν
καὶ τὸ κατειβόμενον Στυγὸς ὕδωρ, ὅστε μέγιστος
ὅρκος δεινότατός τε πέλει μακάρεσσι θεοῖσιν:
(she was saying)(or)(beingly)(WE are)in-truth(the moon)
of PHOIBOS(of the radiant)(purify)(youre purifying)by this(here, thus)
wood-resin-smoke of dupa, and flowers of ylang-ylang,
it will always be an altar and sacred precinct;
but(it would)(will pay a price)(you will be paid)(by retribution)(-dyad)
you will be honored(it will honor)(will always be asking ‘what?')
you at least(both)outstanding(and preeminent)among all,
and you don’t even know.
ἦ μὴν Φοίβου τῇδε θυώδης ἔσσεται αἰεὶ
βωμὸς καὶ τέμενος, τίσει δέ σέ γ᾽ ἔξοχα πάντων.
nevertheless, since(by the dyad-word-song)(you set upon)(you approach)
there and then, it swears(will-swear-to-fulfill)and it accomplishes(brings
to pass)(finishes)the oath;
DELOS(indeed)(on the one hand)very(arm-pits-like-white-tailed-apples)was
rejoicing(rejoice!)by the begetter(by the daughter)(she begets)(you are begotten)
of the from-afar(hekatos)(spring-drawn)lord;
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥ᾽ ὄμοσέν τε τελεύτησέν τε τὸν ὅρκον,
Δῆλος μὲν μάλα χαῖρε γονῇ ἑκάτοιο ἄνακτος:
but(on the other hand)LETO(behold)(seize)(her dyad)for nine days and nine(spending
youth)(senseless)nights beyond hope(you wouldnt have hope)by un-hoped-
for pangs(throes and travails)she had been pierced.
but(all)goddesses(you run)(you shine)(you gaze)(she would gaze)(you would be put in place)
(by looking at)(by contemplation)(by the sight)were being within(at home)by all(be got,
you)(to sprinkle)(she would sprinkle)(be sprinkled)(as with salt or pharmakon)(eat,
drink, partake, you);
Λητὼ δ᾽ ἐννῆμάρ τε καὶ ἐννέα νύκτας ἀέλπτοις
ὠδίνεσσι πέπαρτο. θεαὶ δ᾽ ἔσαν ἔνδοθι πᾶσαι,
they were(they would)(she would)(you would allow)(by allowing)
as great as the best(they and you would go eat brunch)(best meal),
and DIONE and RHEIA(she would flow and you are flowing)
and ICHNAIOS(following the track)and THEMIS(as its right to do)
and(indeed)much-groaning AMPHITRITE and other immortals, except
for HERA of the white arms, aloof(absent)(apart)(in her home);
ὅσσαι ἄρισται ἔασι, Διώνη τε Ῥείη τε
Ἰχναίη τε Θέμις καὶ ἀγάστονος Ἀμφιτρίτη
ἄλλαι τ᾽ ἀθάναται νόσφιν λευκωλένου Ἥρης:
for she had been seated in the(heavenly)halls of Zeus-cloud-gatherer,
and speaking(we are upon)the winged-word-songs(she)was speaking-through;
ἧστο γὰρ ἐν μεγάροισι Διὸς νεφεληγερέταο,
καί μιν φωνήσασ᾽ ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:
(Iliad 15.36)
have(it)be known now, by these(dyad)Gaia(-EARTH)and Ouranos(SKY)far-
reaching(setting higher)(erect)(carrying over)(transposing)(crossing-
holding-handing-over)(forming a superlative)from above,
and by the downward-flowing water of the STYX, be it the greatest
and most deinos(terrible)(wondrous)(strange)(clever)(braiding-
braided)oath(it draws near)(draw near, you)(you come-
into-being)by blessed gods;
ἴστω νῦν τόδε γαῖα καὶ οὐρανὸς εὐρὺς ὕπερθε
καὶ τὸ κατειβόμενον Στυγὸς ὕδωρ, ὅς τε μέγιστος
ὅρκος δεινότατός τε πέλει μακάρεσσι θεοῖσι,
(three tries by KALYPSO)not any(to)(for)(by)yourself bad misery will-
to-devise another;
not another-bad-misery will-to-devise another-bad-misery(to)(for)(by)yourself;
that no more bad blues will devise bad blues
by your own self; we look at you
with softening eyes.
μή τί τοι αὐτῷ πῆμα κακὸν βουλευσέμεν ἄλλο.
(Odyssey 5.184)
but the only one who hadnt heard(learned)was EILEITHUIA(mogis-postokos)
of toils-and-travails of birth;
μούνη δ᾽ οὐκ ἐπέπυστο μογοστόκος Εἰλείθυια:
for she had been seated by the highest-extreme-peak of OLYMPOS, under golden clouds,
of prudent white-armed HERA, where she was restraining(restrain, you)her
in jealousy(and zeal),
when(which)(that)there and then the blameless and steadfast child
LETO(behold)(seize)(her dyad)will beget, of beautiful(deinos)braids of hair,
at that time was(imminently)destined(and about to do).
ἧστο γὰρ ἄκρῳ Ὀλύμπῳ ὑπὸ χρυσέοισι νέφεσσιν,
Ἥρης φραδμοσύνης λευκωλένου, ἥ μιν ἔρυκε
ζηλοσύνῃ, ὅτ᾽ ἄρ᾽ υἱὸν ἀμύμονά τε κρατερόν τε
Λητὼ τέξεσθαι καλλιπλόκαμος τότ᾽ ἔμελλεν.
from hymn 3 to Apollo
fog of nine parts over twelve days (1/9)
(i)(from-afar)shall remember and in no way(o threshold,
o way)would (i) escape the notice of Apollo(hekatos)from-afar,
the one whom, when going and coming(o gods)(she would run)(shine,
gleam)(contemplate)through the house(build, you)(she builds)(i
build)of Zeus, the gods tremble(by trembling)(going and coming);
and there and then(i will snarl)(easy)(i will sprinkle water)they
spring up(by darting up)(eagerly)near-to the coming and going,
all(o all)from their seats, when(she)stretches(and strains)out
the shining(radiant)(glistening)(famous)(phaidrean)(rain)bows.
μνήσομαι οὐδὲ λάθωμαι Ἀπόλλωνος ἑκάτοιο,
ὅντε θεοὶ κατὰ δῶμα Διὸς τρομέουσιν ἰόντα:
καί ῥά τ᾽ ἀναΐσσουσιν ἐπὶ σχεδὸν ἐρχομένοιο
πάντες ἀφ᾽ ἑδράων, ὅτε φαίδιμα τόξα τιταίνει.
but Leto alone stays(stay, you)beside delights-in-the-thunderbolt Zeus,
and she there and then(the bow)(living)(o living)(they lived)(living)(life)
let loose(and released)and shut(and enclosed)the quiver and bow,
Λητὼ δ᾽ οἴη μίμνε παραὶ Διὶ τερπικεραύνῳ,
ἥ ῥα βιόν τ᾽ ἐχάλασσε καὶ ἐκλήισσε φαρέτρην,
and(she)taking them from the wowow shoulders by the hands(taking)
(rain)bows suspends(hangs)up(down)towards the pillar of its father
of the peg(phallus)of gold; but(she)seats him, into the(herb)throne,
(she)(leading)(fetching)(bringing)(carrying)(guiding)(commanding)
(drawing out)(and describing)(holding as an event)(and celebrating)
(weighing down a scale)(with a certain weight)and taking for herself.
καί οἱ ἀπ᾽ ἰφθίμων ὤμων χείρεσσιν ἑλοῦσα
τόξα κατεκρέμασε πρὸς κίονα πατρὸς ἑοῖο
πασσάλου ἐκ χρυσέου: τὸν δ᾽ ἐς θρόνον εἷσεν ἄγουσα.
by(it)then the father gives(offers)(grants)nectar(by)the vessel of gold
showing(manifesting)the beloved child; and then the other daimones
thereupon sit down; and the mistress-lady Leto rejoices,
because(she)gave birth to the(rain)bow-bearing and(mighty)steadfast child.
τῷ δ᾽ ἄρα νέκταρ ἔδωκε πατὴρ δέπαϊ χρυσείῳ
δεικνύμενος φίλον υἱόν: ἔπειτα δὲ δαίμονες ἄλλοι
ἔνθα καθίζουσιν: χαίρει δέ τε πότνια Λητώ,
οὕνεκα τοξοφόρον καὶ καρτερὸν υἱὸν ἔτικτε.
rejoice, O blessed Leto, since you gave birth to two glorious children,
Apollo the lord and Artemis of the pouring-forth-(poison?)-arrows,
the one in Ortygia, the other in rugged Delos, (o she)having(bending)(giving-
way)(reclining)(resting)toward the great mountain and Kynthian riverbank,
the most-nearly-like the palm tree(phoenix)(red-purple)(a sticky date),
on the flows of the river-fountain Inopoio.
χαῖρε, μάκαιρ᾽ ὦ Λητοῖ, ἐπεὶ τέκες ἀγλαὰ τέκνα,
Ἀπόλλωνά τ᾽ ἄνακτα καὶ Ἄρτεμιν ἰοχέαιραν,
τὴν μὲν ἐν Ὀρτυγίῃ, τὸν δὲ κραναῇ ἐνὶ Δήλῳ,
κεκλιμένη πρὸς μακρὸν ὄρος καὶ Κύνθιον ὄχθον,
ἀγχοτάτω φοίνικος, ἐπ᾽ Ἰνωποῖο ῥεέθροις.
from hymn 3 to Apollo
of generosity in a state of war
two blood-soaked abortions (at least)and decades
of(mind)(mood)(me)(them)(-altering)birth-
control
for lack of place
for lack of safety
for gluttony of fear
my fear to bring a living thing
into the state of war
the all-against-all
so leave me, lead me inside
again and again, layer me in
your wordless moment
your clothes, your close the door
felt hard and soft and then gently
until its just us here
and those in the palaestra, altogether
(i was)(they were)flowing around us, in
a circle(it would)(will surround)entirely(shelter us)by care
until now
as it grows binding
and needful
O well-begotten, world-suffering, well-
begetting one, would you be born
could you still hear
my word to call my child
by fathers countless and guardians mighty
as our enfolding of generosity
καὶ οἱ ἐν τῇ παλαίστρᾳ
ἅπαντες περιέρρεον ἡμᾶς κύκλῳ
κομιδῇ
τότε δή
ὦ γεννάδα
Charmides 155δ
cf Aristotle nic ethics 1100b30
eta uh-
oh
🌗
moving (on purnama) with sisters R. and N.
yesterday, the family toppled
an altar and dug up the vessel
of ancestors who had been
held there in the earth.
they cradled the thing.
they placed it amongst sacred
objects and offerings on a truck.
they drove it across the island.
we drove it over and around
the lakes and the mountain
on roads like melting hairpin loops.
we called them wrinkles.
we arrived at the older
the older-newer
present home
where home would be.
they placed the ancestors
underneath the altar
in the older shrine, to be
held there in the earth.
over sticky jajan and sweet coffee
we were laughing about
how complicated everything was.
any simple story.
imperfectly
a jepun tree was in bloom. the night
sky was almost free of clouds,
turning and keeping it alive.
//
and after we have had (or held) our fill of such as those
in turn i was questioning them(selves)
about the (things) by this
ἐπειδὴ δὲ τῶν τοιούτων ἅδην εἴχομεν
αὖθις ἐγὼ αὐτοὺς ἀνηρώτων
τὰ τῇδε
news of orchids
Phaedrus:
isn’t it overgrowingly (huper-phuos)
(in) other things
and also by the names (honomasin)
joined (together) (eresthai)
οὐχ ὑπερφυῶς
τά τε ἄλλα
καὶ τοῖς ὀνόμασιν εἰρῆσθαι
//
yesterday, in the kitchen, our friend whos out
from prison, was sharing gossip about a junior
being caught and being sent to aranjep
over kampung coffee and orchid media.
and no, they never tell me how it works.
the violet news arrives always from inside
the shackled parallel, the humbled inflorescence.
recirculating sources its own mystery.
war-salvaged rumors from the streets are white
like mouses ears that dream into my peers.
we build them nests from all our mixed-up hair.
the silver blacks the blonde. the ashen thatch.
the trees trail overgrowingly through tails
and tubers until, tangled up, the bearded roots.
to found us here. among inmates and outlaws
and songs, as clove tobacco blanketed our evening.
did you know, they blow the breath of dust
until a fungus makes the faerie home?
a thinking blink is how they move from there
to here, a mayfly mask, the wake to name a wink.
the jungle knows no law, leastly, my wooden sanity.
and when reports an owling bloom, my nervous cell —
i dont believe in walls, i saw you on the battlefield, and
i dont believe youre dead, how could you trust me.
so we have come to be present, by the previous
of evening, out of Potidaea, from the army.
and as having arrived, through time, gladly
i go. and two-thirds of the words are backwards slang.
//
Socrates:
we have come to be present (hekomen)
by the previous of evening
out of Potidaea from the army-ground (stratopedon)
and as having arrived through time
gladly
i go
upon the together-dwelling (sunethes)
rubbed-throughs (diatribas)
ἥκομεν τῇ προτεραίᾳ ἑσπέρας ἐκ Ποτειδαίας ἀπὸ τοῦ στρατοπέδου
οἷον δὲ διὰ χρόνου ἀφιγμένος
ἁσμένως
ᾖα
ἐπὶ τὰς συνήθεις διατριβάς
//
🌒
Happy Birthday to Her
(got resurrection
yet?)
last night, we had a birthday dinner for Blih’s fiancée.
having lived with him for years, we have a lumayan
understanding of his habits in relationship. and i hope
beyond hope that they can make it work. because i love
her, and already, i feel like she is my sister.
so we take them out, to the restaurant at the end of
the island. where, for one night, she and my brother
might dine, and be treated, like we, who bring foreign
money here. and i will tell you frankly, the dining scene
is fucked-up. where even to begin.
(someday maybe i’ll know how to share Mak Sun’s way
of making krawu. that day is not here.)
the maskmaker and i are semi-regulars at this restaurant,
a vegan place, where the staff know us well enough
by now, and treat my husband with dignity and respect.
nothing puts a damper on a lovey-dovey date quite like
everybody assuming he’s a delivery driver.
so we order a variety of delicious dishes, none local,
all absurd, decadent, and as fun as we can manage. well
it seems, in Bali, and from all sides, that foreign money
will buy you anything; will fix any problem; will satisfy any
want. and foreigners arrive so ravenous for grace.
(not to be confused with Grace, who is our bossiest hen.
we do not eat her for a reason.)
where was i? as fun as we can manage. but from the start,
i can tell, my brother and sister are exhausted. perhaps
from arguments. this is okay. we are family; we have
been stuck into each others tangled lives; we have seen
the messy, the tearful, the claws; the krawu.
my sister explains the facts of her new job; reception
at a salon, where, with a similar disability as me, she can
work seated. it has better incentives than her previous
job; but demands a 60-hour week, leaving her one day
free, for her children, from a previous marriage.
not to mention, Blih. our brother is a tough and heartfelt
man. he connects diversities of jobs; he body-builds, covered
with tattoos, with discipline; often on sosmed; he hosts
and keeps the family guesthouse (it’s complicated); and
he does security at cockfights.
we listen, express sympathy, and take note of what
our loved ones need; what we can say that might help,
and what we might possibly do; to be good friends
and keep our family together and strong; as our family
has done, does, and has the will to do, for us.
at the end of the night, after (surprise!) chocolate lava
cakes, rich molten cores melting into vanilla-laced, coconut-
based ice cream; the waiters having sung happy birthday
(in English), coercing the entire room (of foreigners)
to sing along; my sister and i share a hug.
send me a message whenever you need, i say; and come
visit us, whenever you can, or please. i know, i say, that he
can be a big, overgrown child, sometimes. (of what man is
this not true?) but he has a good heart. and we all pray
that he remembers it, in good time.
she murmurs several things in reply, one of which
is this (in Indonesian): i don’t want to be a bother. to which
i say, my voice as firm as i can muster: don’t you think
about that. jangan begitu. we are all afraid to be a bother;
when nothing on this earth is worth more than a friend.
as we drive home, the maskmaker and i discuss the All.
(it’s what we do. it is what marriage is, for us. just fyi.)
we both have hope, though he’s more optimistic than me.
that is his habit; he has his reasons. go tell the ai, we all
(Alhamdulillah) have our reasons.
it isn’t until the next morning that it clicks. our brother
and sister had wondered (i didn’t quite understand it at
the time), whether we do any markets (or smthng). now
i realize, and grab my phone to send the urgent text: DO NOT
give your nest-egg to crypto, mlm, or any other scam!!
after which
i say, to the giving sky —
if i am a golden calf
lets take me to the bank
//
Phaedrus: (as Lysias, cont.)
but equally (isos)
it is fitting (prosekein) to gratify (charizein)
not the ones in violent (sphodra) need (deein)
but those who are most able (dunamai)
to pay back (apodidonai)
the grace (charis)
// 233ε
ἀλλ᾽ ἴσως προσήκει οὐ τοῖς σφόδρα δεομένοις χαρίζεσθαι
ἀλλὰ τοῖς μάλιστα ἀποδοῦναι χάριν δυναμένοις
//
eta note: i am taking a rest day tomorrow
for a routine medical procedure. x
Out of wood
I come to, in a cold sweat, twisted in
the linen sheet. These nights, I’m shivering
again. As overhead, the rain continues on
and on, like a forgotten faucet in the clouds.
In darkness, the rooster crows. His hens
crowd under eaves to avoid the downpour.
The cats are asleep. And I sense your body,
tossed limbs and derelict, fragmented speech.
I dream you’re at a diner, in laughter with
some other family. Beside you sits a woman
who is blonde, like me; while I sit with your kin.
I dream we’re in a doubling argument.
When the waitress brings coffee, my cup
is shallow brew in bone. I want to raise it
to my lips. The taste recedes, an emptied kiss
of blackest mud into the muffled dawn.
A steel blade scrapes the pale surface. A piece
we salvaged from the giant, fallen pule tree.
The base diameter was twice, at least,
your height. I snapped a photo to document
the ancient proportion. The storied work.
Spent shavings accumulate in piles, on piles.
Among them, I find you; wrestling with his grim
resolve to shape a smile out of wood.
//
Phaedrus: (as Lysias, cont.)
for those ones will show affection (agapeein)
and will follow after (akoloutheein)
and will come to the doors
and will take exceeding amounts of pleasure (malista hedomai)
and will not know (eisontai) the least grace (charis)
and will pray (euchomai) for many good things for them
// 233ε
ἐκεῖνοι γὰρ καὶ ἀγαπήσουσιν
καὶ ἀκολουθήσουσιν
καὶ ἐπὶ τὰς θύρας ἥξουσι
καὶ μάλιστα ἡσθήσονται
καὶ οὐκ ἐλαχίστην χάριν εἴσονται
καὶ πολλὰ ἀγαθὰ αὐτοῖς εὔξονται
Other-taught
(interview with the maskmaker by his wife)
living in a house of masks
is not for everybody
but it is real
the proportions of a mask
belie the ratio
of its invitation
what the heart desires
will not be had
without a mask
a mask is not an enemy
a mask is not a lie
it is a method
to have and hold a face
to have and hold a want
with the un-willing
to try and try again
to turn and turn away
the many willing ways
when a mask completes its turn
from the mouth is born
a lover in reverse
//
Phaedrus: (as Lysias, cont.)
(on the one hand)
holding (echein)
agreement (suggnome)
with the un-willing (aekousios)
(on the other)
trying (peiraein)
to turn away (apotrepein)
the willing (ekousioa)
// 233ξ
τῶν μὲν ἀκουσίων συγγνώμην ἔχων
τὰ δὲ ἑκούσια πειρώμενος ἀποτρέπειν
//
//
🌒
visit to a Javanese grave
bringing flowers in the grey of morning
we walk from the village to the graveyard
to pray and listen for our hidden father
the unmarked kijing crowd uneven paths
the buckled beds are bristling with grass
and creeping weeds and blossoming shrubbery
and overseen by shaggy jepun trees
their twisted bodies cross at knotted joints
their mask of all the seasons all at once
damp after rain the mud sticks to my feet
and sandals i rinse off before we leave
so other ghosts unclaimed wont follow me
//
Phaedrus: (as Lysias, cont.)
for those (lovers / erastes) praise
aside from whats best
the things said
and the things done
// 233α
ἐκεῖνοι μὲν γὰρ καὶ παρὰ τὸ βέλτιστον τά τε λεγόμενα καὶ τὰ πραττόμενα ἐπαινοῦσιν
//
tonight is an engagement ceremony
its one more meeting of families to go
before tomorrow we return to Bali
and one more time with the toilet jongkok
splashing water up from underneath
with the gayung from the bak mandi
while listening to the two goats bleat
kept there by the neighbors
who live out back
//
not the Minotaur
but how we have hollowed such
a complicated animal
your desire surfacing
my darker ways
as your surface
of underlying fear
known suffering
like capacity
slow as
(a baby runs barefoot across the concrete floor
surrounded by the whirlwind seat of family
his mothers place their hands over sharp corners
his grandmothers grab him before he exits
the door left open to the porch warung
where the local autist mampirs for a treat
off the street of his village neighborhood
as great-grandparents near-toothless smiles
play peek-a-boo for kisses as he toddles by
like every baby his worst enemy is “no”
and in his hands a wooden dragon chomps
at cookie tins and plastic-wrapped sugar snacks
the loudest tyrant in the room screaming
his raw desire to be louder than U.S. America)
the end
a little bull in
a spoked labyrinth
our babbled reckoning
but these things
are left behind
as remembrances
of what will come to be
a sacrificial self for self-legibility
//
Phaedrus: (as Lysias, cont.)
but these things
are left behind (kataleipesthai)
as remembrances (mnemeion)
of what will come to be
// 233α
ἀλλὰ ταῦτα μνημεῖα καταλειφθῆναι
τῶν μελλόντων ἔσεσθαι
like a nightingale
as we are leaving
i am caught by a voice
she is singing herself to sleep
i touch his arm
and when he hears
he takes out his phone
as she sings her song
i watch his calloused fingers
fumble on the glass
i should have done it
i will realize later
stunned with regret
she has no clarity left
Mak Sun whispers
tidak jelas
so like a nightingale
i couldnt say to him
maybe it will happen again
//
Phaedrus: (as Lysias, cont.)
it isnt likely
that these things
which they enjoyed (eu paschein)
would make (poieein)
their friendship (philia)
less
// 233α
οὐκ ἐξ ὧν ἂν εὖ πάθωσι ταῦτα εἰκὸς
ἐλάττω τὴν φιλίαν αὐτοῖς ποιῆσαι
//
first impression (after 7 years) of Java
i speak for no place
but Java is an island
of inwardness
there is no welcome sign
there are no gods and no
it would not like to sell itself to you
a hot shower is hard to find
the homestays are all syariah
the call to prayer interrupts your sleep
yet the women press you to their breast
the coffee served is bitter-sweet
and Tengger keeps the everlasting gravity
in cedars saw we held a hidden rustle
of greener paths behind the highland cloud
in dialogue among smouldering volcanoes
if i could live in Java
i would never need
to write another poem
//
Phaedrus: (as Lysias, cont.)
who (were)
being beloveds (philoi ontes)
to one another
before they did (prassein)
these things
// 233α
οἳ καὶ πρότερον ἀλλήλοις φίλοι ὄντες ταῦτα ἔπραξαν
//
(photo from April 2024)
mothers
we are invited to mampir
so we visit many mothers
they serve us coffee and jajan
the mothers always cry for us
one of my first lessons was
the mothers always cry
all the rivers of this island
from the secret doors of sight
must be their tears
//
🌕
//
Phaedrus: (as Lysias, cont.)
so there is much more hope (elpis)
for friendship (philia) for them
from the deed (pragma)
rather than hatred (echthra)
to be born (genesthai)
// 232δ
ὥστε πολὺ πλείων ἐλπὶς φιλίαν αὐτοῖς ἐκ τοῦ πράγματος
ἢ ἔχθραν
γενέσθαι
just you
the thunderstorm came and clapped
and passed through like gods
practicing my animal ears
until i could take a deep
and fearless nap
of dreams
i woke up wanting
just you
all over again
//
Phaedrus: (as Lysias, cont.)
but however many
as happen (tugchanein)
not
(to be) loving (eran)
and otherwise
through excellence (arete)
passed through (prassen)
those they want (dein)
//
ὅσοι δὲ μὴ ἐρῶντες ἔτυχον
ἀλλὰ δι᾽ ἀρετὴν ἔπραξαν ὧν ἐδέοντο
//
this limasan is not a terror dream
(or how i came to Potro Joyo House)
strange and for a few years
maybe 2018 to 2022
(i moved to Indonesia in 2019)
i dreamed mostly about a flood
lately we live on the sawah
and i dream of earthquakes
(what happened in 2023 was
the dream to build a temple
transparently that is the one
that grabbed me by the throat
that was a hard-yanked chain
to re-make my heart pounding)
anyway i am in a skyscraper
(in tv cities like Philadelphia)
it starts to quake
the building sways as i rush down
the stairs or ladders or chutes or waterfalls
until i come spilling out into the street
well my dreams are hacks
last night as i ran out i looked up and saw
the tower sinuous begin to buckle
and bricks were busting a volcanic bubble
as i ran down the mountain to escape
the expanding smoke and debris
this limasan is not a terror dream
i do not wake up in a fright
(no real nightmares since U.S. America)
but they are disaster dreams
just now maybe like working it out
or making something from dream rubble
and last night it was a real earthquake
not too distant not too deep a 4.6
our home is a cathedral of teakwood
beloved architect vernacular
when it jiggles his bending pillars sound uncanny
old joints of salvage living in the ring of fire
//
the maskmaker writes
like gotong royong
& Hong Ulun Basuki Langgeng
🇮🇩
Phaedrus: (as Lysias, cont.)
and when (as seems inevitable)
disagreement comes to be
and the mishap
in any other way
would be set down as common
to both
// 232β
καὶ ἄλλῳ μὲν τρόπῳ διαφορᾶς γενομένης κοινὴν ἂν ἀμφοτέροις καταστῆναι τὴν συμφοράν
//
selamat calendar complex
Ogoh-Ogoh for tilem today
and family calls and the gamelan calls
(seen here, here, here, here?, nsfw?)
when having constructed our demons
we carry them through the streets
and shake them and fight them
and turn them and burn them
and ooh and aah and waow
and laugh and breathe fire
and then
collapse
into
Nyepi tomorrow
no outgoing or talking
or fire or electricity
or internet
or working
or lovemaking
we let the ogoh-ogoh
believing it to be uninhabited
pass harmlessly over the island
so tomorrow will be silent
in the valley as well
no posts from me ok
then (we await
confirmation from the village
its all local time) Eid al-Fitr . . .
//
lipsblum and parfum ooze
the cherries fell and placed their fingerprints
between my feet like small mouths of a month
of its here its a bloody wee well of a red whale
her fluke-petals strewn long the grey and white tile
and smudge of a moth in the blossoms to clear
but im always her hem and im on the sore brink
of love with the let-jet and inky-bruise style of it
like my pussy would write her own un-willing book
would underwear-stain me an avant-garde blotch
of enfant terrible for primordial brood
elsewhere wind-egg dramatic and lithe acrobatic
some brown-wise residuum to raging en rouge
sex-flowing battle and kiss-knowing cramp
my blew-brewing worm of verbage vole-damp
a crescendo howled in my bowling-ball clamp
and how you offered to switch off the lamp
so i wouldnt need to move at all
so i lie lust-fallow-unfastened at last for now
and i shower near the violet melati that you grow
with slugs softly tucked in a wet toilet paper roll
//
🌖
//
after
the easy way out
saucy
like a bruise
cherry
&c
& the maskmaker
who called lip balm that