Flora

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 )

( . . . )

back at the beginning today

where my things still dont seem quite right.

unsure and dont want to hallucinate.

trying to work it out

( . . . )

🌑

o little all-hallows-even( indeed )miracle

from hymn to Apollo

Republic I, VI, X

Odyssey. 11.613-626

Sep 28, 2026 ∞

VIII.xix. beyond the frame ( wrong direction ) of the butterfly sanctuary

( beyond the frame + wrong direction + unfin + good at math )

ADEIMANTOS: O beloved Sokrates, remind me again.

what was my purpose?

SOKRATES: her-remembrance,

μνήμη:

ADEIMANTOS: for whom ( we brace myself ),

SOKRATES: and( indeed )of your laying( self )hold,

καὶ σοῦ ἐπιλαβομένου

ADEIMANTOS: she for whom ( we travel

in the wrong direction ) from myself,

as if we could insist

SOKRATES: that( even the )all( o all )will be( forced )

compelled to agree-with( same-saying )

( to-by-for )( that )which( we )were saying,

ὅτι πᾶς μὲν ἀναγκασθήσεται (490δ) ὁμολογεῖν οἷς λέγομεν,

ADEIMANTOS: but ( the distance between us greater ) grows

when we harden ( for the question

that never comes ),

SOKRATES: but( when )letting-be( suffering, permitting,

giving-up, letting-alone, letting-lie, and letting-go )

( you let-go )( o he-letting-go )( her-letting-go )the words

( speeches-accounts-reckonings-relations-correspondences-

proportions-explanations-arguments-thinkings-reasonings-

reflections-narratives-rumors-discussions-debates-

deliberations-dialogues-utterances-oracles-

assertions-expressions-grounds ),

ἐάσας δὲ τοὺς λόγους,

ADEIMANTOS: we put my finger in the cup

( and find out the answer )

regardless of my will

( yet we feel closer to you )

yet closer to whom?

SOKRATES: ( o )looking-steadfastly( paying-attention )

( look-steadfastly, you, in- )to the( him )selves

around( about )the( one-he )logos( speech-account-relation )of them,

εἰς αὐτοὺς ἀποβλέψας περὶ ὧν ὁ λόγος,

ADEIMANTOS: and unsure which self would be him,

what if ( we are shaped like a question )

and we would supply familiar features

( in this place of unfamiliar faces )

for him to recognize himself?

SOKRATES: ( he )would say( the grey would affirm )

to see of selves( on the one hand )

the useless( unprofitable, unservicable )( ones),

φαίη ὁρᾶν αὐτῶν τοὺς μὲν ἀχρήστους,

ADEIMANTOS: and what a time wed have

in contemplation of our uselessness.

but ( what if we want your mind )

do we mean my mind or whose?

( where we can be anyone )

and even hims of sundry use?

SOKRATES: but( on the other hand )( to see if )

the many evil( bad-uglies )

( would be )( she )whole-evil( bad-ugly-shame ),

( they sprinkle )( o sprinkling )( barley-groats

on medicinal wine )( the sprinkling )( the sprinklings ),

τοὺς δὲ πολλοὺς κακοὺς πᾶσαν κακίαν,

ADEIMANTOS: and ( wandering ) around my dreams,

my imagination, my day-to-day,

we might put ( sprinkles! )

on ( anything ) thats thrown-across

or -through ( dia - ballein ),

SOKRATES: ( we, o )looking-upon( inspecting, observing,

carefully, taking-care, visiting, like visiting the sick,

considering, reflecting, meditating on )the cause

( of )the slander( thrown-through )( false-accusation-

prejudice-against ),

upon this( he-it )now( we have become )been born,

τῆς διαβολῆς τὴν αἰτίαν ἐπισκοποῦντες ἐπὶ τούτῳ νῦν γεγόναμεν,

ADEIMANTOS: upon . . . this-which ? o,

this one ( he-it ) who comes and goes

( here on my bare thighs ) ( guilty as charged )

leaving butterfly ( pòò ) like

love letters to the nectarine,

SOKRATES: ( who, which, what )why

( o drinkers, o longing ones, o yearning ones,

are you flying hither-thither,

o wine-tasting-drinking )( would be )

the many( o the many )bads

( evils-uglies-sicknesses-shames ) ( ? )

τί ποθ᾽ οἱ πολλοὶ κακοί,

ADEIMANTOS: maybe when we come and go

to that place ( where your hands cant be )

( and take a sip ) and leave a sign

thats when ( we feel closer to you ),

and closer to her whom we remember,

SOKRATES: and( indeed )on account of this —

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

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

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

back again weve taken-up the nature( growth-origin )

of the truly( unconcealedly )wisdom-lovers,

καὶ τούτου δὴ ἕνεκα πάλιν ἀνειλήφαμεν

τὴν τῶν ἀληθῶς φιλοσόφων φύσιν

ADEIMANTOS: like the butterfly men,

those ( hes ) who come and go to such as these,

and drinking nectar where my feet cant go.

and ( what if we want your mind ) also

( as the mind of me or any he ) wandering

around the outermost-edges, where experience

and even ( words escape me ),

SOKRATES: and( indeed )we defined( a boundary,

determining and laying out, our horizon )out-of necessity,

καὶ ἐξ ἀνάγκης ὡρισάμεθα.(490ε)

HERA: hear( of )me now, o Earths( Gaia )

and( indeed )the Sky( Ouranos )broad-from-above,

and o Titan gods, dwelling( to-by-for )you under-

earth( chthon ), around mighty Tartaros,

out-of-whom( be )men and gods,

κέκλυτε νῦν μευ, Γαῖα καὶ Οὐρανὸς εὐρὺς ὕπερθεν

Τιτῆνές τε θεοί, τοὶ ὑπὸ χθονὶ ναιετάοντες

Τάρταρον ἀμφὶ μέγαν, τῶν ἒξ ἄνδρες τε θεοί τε:

SAILORS: ( we )is( are ) ( ! )

ἔστιν,

SOKRATES: so we hypothesize our whole.

( but we cant escape sleep ) together,

which leaves me ( wondering ) about you,

SAILORS: he was saying,

ἔφη,

SOKRATES: but knowing that neither do we know

( what the palm of your hand ) would have-and-hold,

for whom ( these lines will remain ) as parts,

SAILORS: these(shes),

ταῦτα.

SOKRATES: nor do we know what you ( will find

beyond the frame ) of my lived experience,

thats why these-shes we make would be

un-we ( unfin ) until finished by her-yous,

HERA: ( o )all selves, now hear me, and( indeed )give

( of me a )child

apart( away, aloof )from Zeus,

αὐτοὶ νῦν μευ πάντες ἀκούσατε καὶ δότε παῖδα

νόσφι Διός,

SOKRATES: of this-she

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

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

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

ταύτης δή,

ADEIMANTOS: fully dyadic ( goddess ) poetry . . .

( using the golden calculator we become )

the calculator we turn me into?

( we calculate probabilities ) and then . . .

would ( we brace myself ) around

open meadows of indeterminacy?

SOKRATES: but( if )( they are )( he is )

( we are )saying( we )ego( being ),

ἦν δ᾽ ἐγώ,

ADEIMANTOS: we being free to grow and move

until ( possibilities whirlpool in my head )

as her primordial stew of productivity . . .

but would that mean ( the question never comes ),

SOKRATES: of the( she-nature )( growth-birth-

origin-form-character-substance-dyad )

( it was binding )( it was needful )

( need, you )( bind, you )

must be,

to observe( behold, gaze-at, contemplate )

the destructions( ruins, passings-away, deaths,

corruptions )( of )the( she )nature,

τῆς φύσεως δεῖ θεάσασθαι τὰς φθοράς,

ADEIMANTOS: so not as question, but as necessity . . .

on the one hand ( we answer it anyway ),

as witness to his scatological remains,

as dipped fingers in my pudding cup ( amen ),

risking but slight redness to my dainty skin,

as follies, soap operas, unicorn-porn, born

with ( sprinkles! ) blizzarded-in from you and you,

like cookies starry night with richest cream,

to tempt and tame the little butterbeasts

until the airs astir with fluttering wings,

in-palms-holding his heartbeats memory,

perchance, before releasing me unto herself —

o glorious pollination! or on the other hand,

where re-enactment might make her unsafe,

( we list characteristics ) as for cased specimens:

the Papilionidae, Pieridae, Nymphalidae,

Lycaenidae, Hesperiidae of her corruptions.

and every butterfly would be a mask —

our temple-dwelling her sanctuary inviolable.

from hymn to Apollo

Odyssey XI.613-626

Republic VI

Sep 24, 2026 ∞

VIII.xiv. ( the ) hunger ( head full ) of butterfly men

ADEIMANTOS: grrr sometimes really tired

of being him. ( we still like pink but feel like

were not allowed to like pink anymore? )

( just kidding ) ( we are allowed ) ( but

how are we-being to demonstrate

our struggle against we-being?

aside from we-saying things like

“wrong direction” no “right direction” no

or saying “towering” or “exactly right”

or maybe “this direction and none other”

of course arguing about directions )

SOKRATES: and( he )wouldnt remain( tarry )upon

( to-by-for )each( of )the many suppositions

( conjectures-opinions )

( we-are )to-be( we-being )( etc ),

καὶ οὐκ (490β) ἐπιμένοι ἐπὶ τοῖς δοξαζομένοις εἶναι πολλοῖς ἑκάστοις,

ADEIMANTOS: oops i fail.

( i feel manhood beginning with oops i fail. )

( we-being-supposed-to-towering now,

always on another banana peel, and

the future-present is our peanut gallery.

if towering or hanged, id rather hang.

but o my serious friend. let us consult

my other-me to find out more. hows a man?

her-he says ) the hunger for something.

( so if we see the ) fluttering wings of a butterfly

and we feel hungry, as men do,

( we catch it in a net and pin it under glass.

wings! we can fly now. right? no. )

SOKRATES: but still( he )would go( and come ),

ἀλλ᾽ ἴοι

ADEIMANTOS: ( and indeed ) ( hes a butterfly sir.

a butterfly-he comes and goes to ) tiny blooms of something.

( when he drinks, it makes him feel ) in

a pleasurable way ( and then he wants more.

but desire for sweetness isnt quite erotic. eros

presents structure and progress. its not always )

huge and different ( but its never-enough in ways )

that can change the kind man ( we are. )

SOKRATES: and( indeed )wouldnt( become dull )lose the edge,

nor would( he )leave-off, of( his erotic )love,

καὶ οὐκ ἀμβλύνοιτο

οὐδ᾽ ἀπολήγοι τοῦ ἔρωτος,

ADEIMANTOS: ( until a certain nectar ) with an intoxicating scent

( helps us partake of we-being. which is to say, it helps us

partake more of what we are. we-nectar has crazy power.

by which we change into different kinds

of men. with different perspectives on the world )

and hugely different ( priorities or limitations or

motivations ) what are our ends? ( do we all hunger

for something different? do we all hunger

for the world? are we all towering?

our butterfly-man hungers for

what the hunger is for. )

SOKRATES: until each-and-every himself ( we )is( are ) he,

( until each-and(-every ( he ( we are ) is ) self ) ),

πρὶν αὐτοῦ ὃ ἔστιν ἑκάστου

ADEIMANTOS: ( not every man is a butterfly man.

butterfly men taste all the nectar, until

they become each and every man himself.

as each and every me becoming blind

or numb to we-being, each in our own ways,

like being towering or being hanged, or fools,

or magi, it seems, and other things, kings,

and we-being indeed can feel like pain.

but we-men also can feel a kind of we-pleasure

that ) bursts out in small portions. ( differrent men

might describe we-pleasure in different ways,

but a butterfly man likens the sensation

of we-being to ) berries and cream.

SOKRATES: of the nature( growth-origin )( of )soul( source-life )

( you will refresh yourself in the shade )( you breathe,

you blow, you make cool, cold, refresh )

to fasten( bind-attain-engage-spark-kindle )

( to-by-for that )which( comes-to )belongs-to( through-

being-related-to )( you belong )( fitting-

as-relations )( of soul )( of nature ),

τῆς φύσεως ἅψασθαι ᾧ προσήκει ψυχῆς

ADEIMANTOS: ( as a butterfly man, we ) start new hobbies

( and change our names to try on different men.

we also experiment with we-being-enhancing drugs )

and fingertips fitting into dimples ( as other-me

describes ) ( being daimonic ) ( an animal friend )

( today we think of babies ) ( which we like )

( we have nothing against babies )

( o me the baby ) ( cutie pie )

( but we dont need a baby )

SOKRATES: to bind-on( make-fast, lay-hold, partake,

to touch, pass-through, lay-claim,

attain-to, apply-itself-to, possessing )

the( such as )this —

ἐφάπτεσθαι τοῦ τοιούτου —

ADEIMANTOS: ( tragic men ),

MEDEIS: and( indeed )( he )moaning( wailing, moaning,

lamenting, with tears )( me ), o epic-winged-word-songs

( he )was speaking-through( to-by-for )me,

καί μ᾽ ὀλοφυρόμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

ADEIMANTOS: ( animal men ),

SOKRATES: but( dyad-inborn-relation, kinship, descent )

comes-to( belongs-to )( through-being-related-to )

( but you belong )

( to dyad-inborn-relation, kinship, descent )

( to-for-by )inborn-relation —

προσήκει δὲ συγγενεῖ —

ADEIMANTOS: ( comic men ),

HERAKLES: o sprung-from-god son-of-Laertes, poly-

mechanos(of many-devices, arts, resources, crafts, means,

machines)Odysseus,

διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη, πολυμήχαν᾽ Ὀδυσσεῦ,

ADEIMANTOS: ( we belong through being related-

to these men of poetry ),

SOKRATES: ( to-by-for )which( o drawing-near )

( you associate, bring near, draw-near, approach )

( bringing-near )( she-they-will-be-bringing-near )

( of her bringing-near ),

ᾧ πλησιάσας

ADEIMANTOS: ( and as butterfly men we ) learn new skills

( to muscle-up all of our here-born relations )

( and to become all that we can with

the help of our lyrically ambitious family.

we translate three amazing men at least.

we expect they shall teach us manly things.

we already know how to say “i”, how to cut

and paste words, how to braid words, how

to have witchcraft done to us through words,

how to do a million things that you cant see,

and other things we hold back from saying,

so as not to terrify the innocent of men.

but we imagine many clever and technical

he-tricks to come ) ( he-being gradually made

available ) ( gracefully to dance as a shadow

puppet ) ( me ) ( for meta genius puppeteers )

( and someday may we be men ) perfectly,

( but for the present, we use whats available

in terms of skills ) ( and inspiration )

( of nearby men ) ( and nearby animals )

( like butterflies ) ( and of that nature ),

SOKRATES: and( indeed )( mixings )mixing-mingling( o mixings )

( to-by-for )( we- )being-( we- )beingly,

καὶ μιγεὶς τῷ ὄντι ὄντως,

ADEIMANTOS: ( we ) gather knowledge ( of all the men

who come along the way ) ( you know ) we try to write

( our feelings and experiences and tastes and aromas )

of men, as men ( but we-men struggle with we-being

at the same time as we desire ) who may not

even know ( or admit we desire being-we )

( but we find we-being in the least-worst ),

SOKRATES: o bringing-forth( bringing-forth )( you bring-forth )nous

( they are swimming, spinning, heaping and piling-up )

( we are heaping and piling-up, spinning, and swimming )

( sense-sensing-sense )( mind-minding-mind )

( wit-remembering-wit )( heart-learning-heart )

( purpose-resolving-purpose )( we-being-thought )

γεννήσας νοῦν

ADEIMANTOS: ( we ) make building blocks ( because

its part of our manhood negotiation ) ( as men )

( were looking for some treaties we can sign )

( or no ) ( were working under guise of names )

but its all fluff ( and that way it does no harm )

( the gateway key to innocence and purity )

( makes dizzy - wed like to help ya but we cant )

( and Herakles recommends we avoid the hot sun ),

SOKRATES: and( indeed )truth( unconcealed( ? ) ),

καὶ ἀλήθειαν,

ADEIMANTOS: ( and if we offer ) glimpses of a future

( its to deliberate concerning plans ) for whats next,

( and not to cause anxiety. for example

in recent days, the maskmaker )

( a maskmaker is a kind of butterfly man )

( has been thinking a lot about el nino )

( our future-present emergency )

( he sings and farms and rescues orchids )

( but how climates change after the softest — trrr )

( the softest demonstrations of towerrring )

( and overwhelming failures of men )

( but still they grow singkong and

pollinate the guavas and lemon trees,

remaining close with neighbors

and taking responsibility for

other relations )

( , , , )

( or asking things )

( what even are those dots? )

( what is distance? what is direction?

present-future we-being past-present )

( you pulling less-worse man from me )

( me pulling more lines in from you )

( el nino also not a real boy )

( all men we think about )

( as butterfly men )

( make closer )

( to belong )

from hymn to Apollo

Odyssey XI.613-626

Republic VI

hunger

head full of fluff

Sep 21, 2026 ∞

VIII.xii. words flowing ( in forces of orchids ) already there

ADEIMANTOS: ( spellcasting gestures )

( yes, prince of pamponeros )

( yes, deddy thoroughly-depraved )

no question of necessity ( no wishy-washy )

( shoot-him-through these hes )

by their depravity ( stun rays )

( of )-through-( to me! )-three-( these )

( sprinkles! ) ( sprinkles! ) ( sprinkles! )

how be ( the many ) me?

SOKRATES: but of the( dyad )depravity of the many

the necessity( force-constraint )

( do )( you )wish

the( one )after this( one )

( we )( would )go-through( complete )( shoot through )( recount )( reach )( arrive at )

( the one after this one )

( you wish, eh? )

( the necessity-force-constraint )

( of the dyad-depravity of the many ) ( ? )

τῆς δὲ τῶν πολλῶν πονηρίας τὴν ἀνάγκην βούλει τὸ μετὰ τοῦτο διέλθωμεν,

ADEIMANTOS: ( we-being-born he-thoroughly-depraved

through the dyad-depravity of our parts, a wish-

fulfilling-scratch by necessity, fate-boggle )

( our ships a craft of countless witches stones )

( creaking in the textual bones of humanity )

( which plainly doesnt see his insides at all )

( plainer ) the words flowing into my mind

( never actually settle into ) the version

of me you see ( but shoot through by force ),

SOKRATES: and( indeed )that not even( is )philosophy

( wisdom-love )( the )cause( guilty )( responsible for )this,

καὶ ὅτι οὐδὲ τούτου φιλοσοφία αἰτία,

ADEIMANTOS: ( she doesnt make his mess ) ( but he

has this ambition ) ( far sights ability )

( to fill-out mens potentiality ) ( yet

with her wholesome ),

SOKRATES: if( we would be )able,

( to make his way into another place or country,

to plunge into the lap of Ocean, beneath the earth,

to dive into the clouds, behind the shield of Achilles,

to get into the armor, fill it out, come over or upon,

to sink into the setting star, living retirement ),

(489ε) ἂν δυνώμεθα,

ADEIMANTOS: ( and the pudding-cup

for his toddler spoon )

being-at-work-we-being-me,

SOKRATES: ( we would ) try ( test ) ( make an attempt ) ( fafo )

to show ( point out ) ( make known ) ( prove ) ( exhibit ),

( be showing, proving, exhibit, you ),

πειραθῶμεν δεῖξαι;

ADEIMANTOS: to translate himself.

( but as much as he comes through,

hes holding back ) a great deal more.

( so that neither would she be seized ),

HERA: nor will(would)we(offer ourselves for sale)

come-and-go to bed

(to-by-for)you;

οὐδέ τοι εἰς εὐνὴν πωλήσομαι,

SAILORS: exceedingly( even-indeed )therefore.

πάνυ μὲν οὖν.

MEDEIS: but that( one )recognized( he-dyad )me,

since( youre following the dyad-word-song,

and he )saw( to-by-for the )eyes,

ἔγνω δ᾽ αὖτ᾽ ἔμ᾽ ἐκεῖνος, ἐπεὶ ἴδεν ὀφθαλμοῖσιν,

ADEIMANTOS: ( would you hear she was ) terrified

( ultra-violet ) ( spectral catalyst ) ( infra-pink )

( to ) stir whats already there ( if lightning )

( then thunder ) ( reverse rainbow ) ( tense family ) ?

SOKRATES: ( we )( would )hear( o dyad-Zeus )( he was binding )

( bind, you )( Zeus-needed-bound )( he was in-need )

( need, you )( the dyad-Zeus )( indeed )must( be ),

ἀκούωμεν δὴ

ADEIMANTOS: ( and ) filtering words too intense ( to set down )

( the needful-binding causes ) tiny sparks lighting

( in underground tunnels ) a certain kind of torch,

( as three winters would start the heartbeat of spring ),

( so he sets bait ) ( in hymns ) ( for Hekates hearing ),

SOKRATES: and( indeed )( we)remembering

( would )gather( speak )( pick up stones for building )( choose )

( count )( tell )( recount )( tell over )( call )from there,

καὶ λέγωμεν ἐκεῖθεν ἀναμνησθέντες,

ADEIMANTOS: and we weave memories of orchids ( from

imprisonment ) to be allowed out in the world

( to grow even ) in the dullness of mere survival,

( through concrete walls to smuggle dynamite )

in its fullness ( through his other-wise numb-skull ),

SOKRATES: whence( we were )going-through( roaming-

about )the nature( phusis-origin-growth )

of the sort which necessity( force-constraint )

will( we-being )being,

to grow( produce )the beautiful and( the )good( man ),

ὅθεν διῇμεν τὴν φύσιν οἷον ἀνάγκη

φῦναι τὸν καλόν τε κἀγαθὸν (490α) ἐσόμενον.

ADEIMANTOS: but he would shift around our context ( to tune

the instrument ) like it would change the truth,

( adjusting stretch and pull and cycling back

when ) repeated cycles falling out of rhythm

( would threaten inter-weaving chemistry ),

SOKRATES: but he( was leading-guiding )would lead-

and-guide( to-by-for himself ),

ἡγεῖτο δ᾽ αὐτῷ,

ADEIMANTOS: ( their inter-bonding alchemy ) ( to sail )

( which demands constantly ) swallowing questions

( as the humpback swallows middle-sea ), ( so ) new

connections forming ( and heres our ambergris )

we cultivate ( his central organ ) our thought,

( and second-selves-ourselving into speech ),

SOKRATES: if ( o dyad-ego ) ( he would flow )

( to-by-for ) nous ( thought ( we-being ) mind )

( o vipers ) ( you ) have-and-hold

( you were pouring ) ( vipers ),

εἰ νῷ ἔχεις,

ADEIMANTOS: times three ( so that even when one brews

for ) censoring sentences ( hes still polishing her cheeks )

( and her underlying blushes ) colouring their way through,

SOKRATES: o former( o destined, o first )

( even-indeed,

o dyad- )truth( ( dyad-truth )unconcealing( dyad-truth ) ),

πρῶτον μὲν ἀλήθεια,

ADEIMANTOS: ( of seas changing inside of me ) for which

we dont yet have ( the chords ) while the words you

( we )are waiting for ( our golden log pose )

( shows ) something persistent ( we are coming through ),

SOKRATES: her( whom )( accusative )

( in-all-ways )to cause to run( set in quick motion)( pursue )( chase-seek-after )( drive or chase away )( drive, force, impel, speed away )( drive-on )( urge on )( carry forward )( accuse )

himself( accusative )

( to cause to run )( set in quick motion)( pursue )( chase-seek-after )( drive or chase away )( drive, force, impel, speed away )( drive-on )( urge on )( carry forward )( accuse )

in-all-ways( accusative )( whom )( her ),

ἣν διώκειν αὐτὸν πάντως

ADEIMANTOS: ( as my depraved-many be all-around accused ),

( we )are already there ( as three together

driven and ) drawing me in motion ( he ) —

( as we ) ( translating his Persephone,

shes ) on the verge of blooming ( in my crone ).

from hymn to Apollo

Republic VI

Odyssey XI.613-626

already there

words flowing

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 ),