Goats
the Delphiad, book VI
KRISA: o were a sweet(good)show
XENOS: but we(were)swiftly shaking(brandishing,
wielding)the(lots)beetles(that destroy bee-hives)
into the(shameless)dog-skin(cap)
KRISA: lips touching so lightly
XENOS: (he would kiss)
(you
would be kissed)
(youre kissed)
tipped-with-bronze;
κλήρους δ᾽ ἐν κυνέῃ χαλκήρεϊ πάλλομεν ὦκα:
KRISA: its almost not even a kiss at all
AUTOS: thence(whence)(she went)
(she came)(wrist-)ravenously(ones)
(you)(o raging-sacrificing)stepped-
through-to the ridge of sweetwood
(trees)(dupa)(pine)(raging-sacrificing)
(agarwood)(o raging)(o sacrificing)
ἔνθεν καρπαλίμως προσέβης πρὸς δειράδα θύων
KRISA: yet it carries something so vast
XENOS: but the lot(bee-beetle)sprang out
of(a)great-hearted Eurolochos(well-
hidden-ambush-lying-
in-wait)
ἐκ δ᾽ ἔθορε κλῆρος μεγαλήτορος Εὐρυλόχοιο.
KRISA: the rising sun the next morning
AUTOS: but(you)approached-as-suppliant
(approach, you)(to stroll-about, present-to,
attain-to, become, befit, pertain-to)Krisa
(separate-distinct-discerning-judgment-turning-
point-trial-crisis)
under the snowy-white Parnassos(mountain-
woodland-heights-branching-growth-minding-
alone-remote),
ἵκεο δ᾽ ἐς Κρίσην ὑπὸ Παρνησὸν νιφόεντα,
KRISA: it wont be the same
AUTOS: having-been-turned
(four-fold)(tetrammenon)
toward the projecting-spur(limb-shoulder-
grove)of Zephuros
(the w e s t - w i n d ) ,
κνημὸν πρὸς Ζέφυρον τετραμμένον,
KRISA: but it will be almost the same
but it will witness what comes next
XENOS: but baaaa(sheep sound)(he)stepped
to go(to come),
and at the same time as(that)at least,
(we would set it, sink it into the sea, plunge it in,
enter the body, put it on like armor, enter, make
our way into, come over and upon)two(a dyad-
dyading)and(indeed)twenty weeping
(o weeping)companions;
‘ βῆ δ᾽ ἰέναι, ἅμα τῷ γε δύω καὶ εἴκοσ᾽ ἑταῖροι
κλαίοντες:
KRISA: the timeline rocked out of its course
AUTOS: nevertheless from-above
(a)rock(ledge)(shelf)(peak)(o petra)hangs-over,
αὐτὰρ ὕπερθεν
πέτρη ἐπικρέμαται,
XENOS: but over-against-them, we(o sand,
whom)they(we)left behind, we(would be)
groaning-wailing-weeping
KRISA: it wont matter
XENOS: (squeezing-out
the juice)
KRISA: what comes next
XENOS: thereafter
κατὰ δ᾽ ἄμμε λίπον γοόωντας ὄπισθεν.
KRISA: the world just shifted
AUTOS: but(a
)hollow(wood-comb)
(o holl-
ow)has run-
-ged)(the)comb-(stand)
in-under(rug-
jagged(o
hollow
)
κοίλη δ᾽ ὑποδέδρομε
βῆσσα,
τρηχεῖ᾽
KRISA: for the better
XENOS: but they(we)found
(they-we discover, devise, invent)
so lightly, (she would cough)into
the wooded comb(a drinking cup)
dyad-having-been-built-made-worked,
KRISA: o mistress(dyad)lady
XENOS: the houses of Kirke
(circling-
falcon to-by-for)smooth-polished
stones, into(the)seen-around
space( chora )place.
εὗρον δ᾽ ἐν βήσσῃσι τετυγμένα δώματα Κίρκης
ξεστοῖσιν λάεσσι, περισκέπτῳ ἐνὶ χώρῳ:
KRISA: modest
AUTOS: there,
(o)lord Phoibos(radiant-pure-shining)Apollo
ordained(concluded-by-conjecture, estimated,
fortold, predicted,
ἔνθα ἄναξ τεκμήρατο Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων
KRISA: a red-tawny sign;
it will show
AUTOS: (a)lovely(charming)temple-dwelling
to be(being)made
(dyad-lifted-up-and-set-upon)
and(he)said(we speak — o-word-song —
the muthos)story-word;
νηὸν ποιήσασθαι ἐπήρατον εἶπέ τε μῦθον:
APOLLO: thither-hither(surely-binding-needful)we-would
be-minded(exercising-thought-understanding-intelligence-
feeling-sense-sensibility)to make-ready(work)(build
a)roundly-beautiful temple-dwelling
to be(to-by-for)human beings(an)oracle(chresterion),
who(for-by-to)me always
hither-thither will lead-bring-carry(by leadings, bringings,
carryings)perfect(full-complete)hekatombs
(hundred-oxen-offerings-from-afar)
(to-for-by tombs),
and also as many(as)hold(and have)(by having
and holding)the fat(plump)Peloponnesos,
and as many as(hold)Europe,
(and as many as hold North and South Americas,
and as many as hold Asia,
and as many as hold Africa,
and not-to-be-forgotten Australia,
nor the endmost-reaches of Antarctica),
and(the plethora of)sea-surrounded islands,
(they will)consult(inquire)(use it)(seek it)(need-lack and make-
use of it)(experience)(suffer)(study)(treat, entreat, make-
deals with it);
ἐνθάδε δὴ φρονέω τεῦξαι περικαλλέα νηὸν
ἔμμεναι ἀνθρώποις χρηστήριον, οἵτε μοι αἰεὶ
ἐνθάδ᾽ ἀγινήσουσι τεληέσσας ἑκατόμβας,
ἠμὲν ὅσοι Πελοπόννησον πίειραν ἔχουσιν,
ἠδ᾽ ὅσοι Εὐρώπην τε καὶ ἀμφιρύτας κατὰ νήσους,
χρησόμενοι:
KRISA: she was alone
XENOS: but around her were mountain-wolves
and mountain-lions,
that she(herself had)enchanted,
when(she)gave(them)evil(bad-ugly)
pharmakon-drug-potions;
nor did they start-off
in a rush to attack the men,
ἀμφὶ δέ μιν λύκοι ἦσαν ὀρέστεροι ἠδὲ λέοντες,
τοὺς αὐτὴ κατέθελξεν, ἐπεὶ κακὰ φάρμακ᾽ ἔδωκεν.
οὐδ᾽ οἵ γ᾽ ὡρμήθησαν ἐπ᾽ ἀνδράσιν,
APOLLO: (but)and(to)by(for)
which(wholes)we(we)being(o possession-whole)
proclaiming oracles
KRISA: falling-upon-assailing-attack
APOLLO: would pronounce(deliver-enact)oracles(judgment,
law and right)(of)unerring-purpose
KRISA: the creative
APOLLO: absolute-infallible-will(counsel-
deliberation-advice)
in(a)fat(plump)temple-dwelling
τοῖσιν δ᾽ ἄρ᾽ ἐγὼ νημερτέα βουλὴν
πᾶσι θεμιστεύοιμι χρέων ἐνὶ πίονι νηῷ.
KRISA: sound
AUTOS: so-speaking,
Phoibos(shining-radiant-pure)Apollo
arranged(managed, distributed, set-forth, disposed)
the(wide - spacious)foundations
KRISA: body
AUTOS: (the root
or bed of the eye)(the base of the throat)
KRISA: geometry
AUTOS: broad and very(dyad-secretly)tall,
(o-all)unbroken(continuous);
ὣς εἰπὼν διέθηκε θεμείλια Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων
εὐρέα καὶ μάλα μακρὰ διηνεκές:
KRISA: being held
HOMER: but in-turn the swineherd,
leader of men,
spoke-through to him;
τὸν δ᾽ αὖτε προσέειπε συβώτης, ὄρχαμος ἀνδρῶν:
SWINEHERD: and exceedingly that-she(at least)remains
(awaits, in an indicated posture, the coming, approach
of — )(dyad-strength)(by strength)
(her)thumos enduring(evil, patiently, daring
to take-upon-itself)in your big-hall-sanctuary-shrine;
καὶ λίην κείνη γε μένει τετληότι θυμῷ
σοῖσιν ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν:
KRISA: but it had gotten late
AUTOS: nevertheless, upon them(selves)
KRISA: she starts creating
AUTOS: Trophonios(slaughter-nourishment-murder-voice)
and(of)Agamede(exceedingly-nothing-lest-nobody)
put(the)threshold(road)of stone, (who were the)children
(of)Erginos(work-control-birth-imperative-mind),
o beloveds(for-to-by)immortal(by gazings)gods;
αὐτὰρ ἐπ᾽ αὐτοῖς
( λάινον οὐδὸν ) ἔθηκε Τροφώνιος ἠδ᾽ Ἀγαμήδης,
υἱέες Ἐργίνου, φίλοι ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσιν:
KRISA: ideas spark
and we must have worked til dawn
XENOS: but still
KRISA: its easy to fix
XENOS: there-and-then(to)by(for)you at least
KRISA: (and sparkle)
(and we know which)
XENOS: (he would pee)
(other-he would watch)
ἀλλ᾽ ἄρα τοί γε
οὐρῇσιν
KRISA: excitable(joy found)
XENOS: (to-by-for)the long tails,
they got-up and came,
wagging-friendly-all-around
οὐρῇσιν μακρῇσι περισσαίνοντες ἀνέσταν.
KRISA: alogon
AUTOS: but around the temple-dwelling, the(ineffable-
unspeakable-unutterable-portentous-terrible)
races(tribes-classes-nations)(of)human beings
KRISA: studious, in tiny moments
AUTOS: dwelled(inhabited, settled,
flowing and being filled to overflowing,
to-by-for)smoothed(wrought-polished-
hewn-shaven)stones
KRISA: its( shared )shocking-hot-pink
AUTOS: to be famous-in-song
XENOS: o famous-in-song
AUTOS: always
ἀμφὶ δὲ νηὸν ἔνασσαν ἀθέσφατα φῦλ᾽ ἀνθρώπων
( ξεστοῖσιν λάεσσιν ), ἀοίδιμον ἔμμεναι αἰεί.
from hymn to Apollo
Od. 10.206-215; 16.34-41
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)
.~.
the unheard-of sailing
beautifully at least are you, and you,
and we, even me, as we bow to the Muse,
from silence, to work, to make music.
for far more by you and her tresses of blue
shall we speak freely and fluently flow
round her sea-song, along, on the leaf,
of what sort me and you happen to be
being, she sings and she whispers it slow,
an unheard-of sailing, through the distance.
but just now, were becalmed, were in irons.
which turn of the tide or twist of a rope,
which way of the wind, from Delos the boat,
by teeth of a goat on his own green grass,
how would we, under grey, manifesto for you
the impasse, the power, all her own.
cause shes full of it too. kompsos
like the chomp on her bridal-white jib
of a child, crocodile, laughing.
καλῶς γε σύ
ἦν δ᾽ ἐγώ
ποιῶν
μᾶλλον γάρ σοι
παρρησιάσομαι
περὶ τῆς ἐπῳδῆς
οἵα τυγχάνει οὖσα
ἄρτι δ᾽
ἠπόρουν τίνι τρόπῳ
σοι ἐνδειξαίμην
τὴν δύναμιν αὐτῆς
156α
cf Phaedo 99ξ-δ
it was the goat
who said
on beautys child speaking
placing under by the other
to be taken hold with care
lest over and against a lion
of that coming-going fawn
be seized a dividing spare
this cut of me would be
a kings delight to see
the first to meet us whole
for it seems to me itself
under such a creature
as we — i bleat — is caught
ὃς εἶπεν
ἐπὶ καλοῦ λέγων παιδός
ἄλλῳ ὑποτιθέμενος
εὐλαβεῖσθαι
μὴ κατέναντα λέοντος
νεβρὸν ἐλθόντα
μοῖραν αἱρεῖσθαι
κρεῶν
αὐτὸς γάρ μοι ἐδόκουν
ὑπὸ τοῦ τοιούτου
θρέμματος
ἑαλωκέναι
Charmides 155δ
cf Phaedo 61β
our wordless moment
and after the showing
of Critias that i
would(suffer)be(ing)(it)he
knowing the pharmakon
and it(you) would look right into my eyes(is)(isis)
a sort of helplessness(amechanon)
and it(you were) leading up as(if) will(ing love to) ask
(would you be here forever
i am already here
were this my nature)
ἐπειδὴ δέ φράσαντος
τοῦ Κριτίου ὅτι ἐγὼ
εἴην ὁ
τὸ φάρμακον ἐπιστάμενος
ἐνέβλεψέν τέ μοι τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς
ἀμήχανόν τι οἷον
καὶ ἀνήγετο ὡς ἐρωτήσων
155ξ
what drives me
toward (you)there
nevertheless
O beloved
i — already (pleasure-
mermaids)was at(they
were)an impasse
indeed my previously-
(delivering she)recklessness
had been knocked out
witch(her)(i-
was)(they had
been)having(and holding back) — i
as if altogether easily
by itself (what nerve)
will dialogue
(drives me insane
i do try sometimes not
to interrupt)
ἐνταῦθα
μέντοι
ὦ φίλε
ἐγὼ
ἤδη
ἠπόρουν
καί μου ἡ πρόσθεν
θρασύτης
ἐξεκέκοπτο
ἣν
εἶχον
ἐγὼ
ὡς πάνυ ῥᾳδίως
αὐτῷ
διαλεξόμενος
155ξ
for setting practice
who
(going)(coming)
between
me
and Critias
sits down
ὁ
δ᾽ ἐλθὼν
μεταξὺ
ἐμοῦ τε καὶ
τοῦ Κριτίου
ἐκαθέζετο
cf Phaedo 67δ
my dawnlit daybreaker
there beside himself he would sit
until (their own) (dawn)
of the (ones) seated at the eschaton
the (one we) raise up
the horizon (we) throw down
ἵνα παρ᾽ αὑτῷ καθέζοιτο
ἕως
τῶν ἐπ᾽ ἐσχάτῳ καθημένων
τὸν μὲν ἀνεστήσαμεν
τὸν δὲ πλάγιον κατεβάλομεν
his own death
πρὸς οὖν ἐμὲ ὁ Κριτίας
Ἔναγχός τοι
ἔφη
βαρύνεσθαί
τι τὴν κεφαλὴν
ἕωθεν
ἀνιστάμενος
ἀλλὰ τί σε κωλύει
προσποιήσασθαι
πρὸς αὐτὸν
ἐπίστασθαί
τι κεφαλῆς φάρμακον
nothing
(they are)(it was)i was(saying)
Critias calls
to the follower
and at once to the follower — Child
he was saying
(beauty)call(and
always be calling)
Charmides
καὶ ἅμα πρὸς τὸν ἀκόλουθον Παῖ
ἔφη
κάλει
Χαρμίδην
to the graveyard woman (who keeps his kid) (goat)
saying that i wish
(with)by the doctor
(you)to put it(self) together
(around)about the (she)weakness
of which before
(it)was telling(laying) me
that (it)(you)(are)weak
εἰπὼν ὅτι βούλομαι αὐτὸν
ἰατρῷ
συστῆσαι
περὶ τῆς ἀσθενείας
ἧς πρῴην
πρός με ἔλεγεν
ὅτι ἀσθενοῖ
and the blanket on his bed (small print re: freckles)
guess im on vacation yall
being told nothing
the valley out
dont forget to use sun protection
get your skin check
at the dermatolologist
sh(weakness)
🌕 x 3
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
//
what belongs to the goat (a love poem)
i dreamed she burned her poetry about me
made me a bonfire of the unseen i dreamed
she shaved me off her razor-scrivened legs
my bush sun-drowning its all good it was
the ribboned iris of a rabbis rose
of exodus the sandstorms seeing red
the aftercare for summer love but god
my creatured limbs are bristling with your fur
//
thremmata
corpse pose again, is it for real this time, as i
down to the underworld for Hades lower table
descend, the darker cloud of somebodys forever
to a banquet feast of charred fat strewn with ashes
i sit before the offering of my own left shin
my tender bone is bowing its familiar flaw
my meat is dripping ratios from the burning violin
i eat it all, although my name is not Issa
as eat the dead, by whispers, one million and seven
then i look down to find beast-legs with chestnut hair
my knuckled shanks uncrossed, my hooves are lightning-cloven
my kept creature walks on two or four, tall-horned
whose crescent shavings will be ground into the rock
whose name is leaving many by the blade of one
//
and the rod
Black Ajax bitter on my left
Red Ajax blooded on my right
grim speechless my bronze-armored kin
by serpent held Asclepian
//
new years 2026
i witness your erosion through the glass
my history disappearing by the hour
and snow consumes to whiteout; i am cold
turned witless by distance and disbelief
and there are no more familiar houses, faces
are spreading, thinning, greying, pale, the young
mere vanishing into the adult flood, like
we didn’t want any of it
the cruiseliner is sinking into sand
nobody made the call, nevertheless
it’s all you ever say; whoever has a camel
hard fast to roll the tents and carry it
how do you chase your longing through the dunes
and did her caravan leave any trace
or do you doubt if she was ever there
or do you see her in the doe, the goat, the raven
do you become her in the cursive carved
by thirst, the desert bridegroom winding through
until you haunt the edges of their encampment
inhuman as the hajj, kin to al-Shanfara
locals popping-off begin at dusk
explosions quickening unevenly
as child-sized rockets into midnight, when at once
fireworks engulf the island, terrifying animals
i turn a light on for the chickens
Black Ajax has fallen out of his black tree
he gibbers darkly as he hobbles toward me
the light, a blacker perch; gibbering, i walk him through it
//
selamat tahun baru🥂
//
our chickens are
most junglefowl
we don’t fight them
as, with cocks, is done
but they are fighters
//
semi-nude for a photo album
their birthday was the other night
the girls were going out; the grift
delayed by getting ready; gift
of tangled, sappy rattan; caused a fright
pan, she burned some flowers on you
meta-burban, real dream for two
polaroid tacky, pantries full
of shady tatters, curtain bulls
sister, it was no dress for winter
but they were grown enough to drink
something fancy from the blender
fermented guava, lava lake
lavender flannel, camisole
white linen sheets, hung in the sun
nigel and sandi, mel and sue
genre-bender, Java won
high horse, he has a song for you
but i’ll save it for another tone
her sweaty practice, overdue
vinyasa, tapas, organ brew
dizzy lizzy ate some rice
eat, pray, love, the antichrist
jihadi, mum’s worst nightmare
Gandhi, papa’s burnt-off limb
inter-dimensional makeout queen
Osaka airport, caused a scene
village gossip, words above
she’s never catching up on love
not quite posh, but pulp turned through
realism, my lands, god knew
so sliced the flippin' longitude
bless her heart and come on in
agrimony henbane dish
too-schooled harpy hysterical
raised pie of huckleberry fish
turned river-liver radical
there’s mantra in the air tonight
what kue set in sangga stone
rise with the moon, the howling dog
the crone, her voice memorial
white-footed goat is coming home
to graze by fiery sunset view
the desert camel, bringing bones
with mother Durga, chest tattoo
a secret pocket of soil and spice
elaborate belty-thing, rhizomes in knots
not big enough for where you think
whether it is cake
//
(wants cake)
//
texas talkin blues, like this
vernacular from full moon 5/11
genius loci, pura dalem
blog 2-yr anniverse & job well done
//
his very subtlety
i brought my heart to work today—
a careful accident. i wrote
a note for you, pretending not
to show you who i am: bearded
angel, or boy turned upside-down;
chain-yanker or lonely-for-fruit;
the groaning king, his blessèd wreath;
a golden mule, the kiss of death;
soft bosom of the empress, red
from solar radiation; or
caress of thigh, giver of bread;
this image— you, unlimited.
//
🌒
How many a desert plain, wind-swept,
like the surface of a shield,
empty, impenetrable,
have I cut through on foot,
Joining the near end to the far,
then looking out from a summit,
crouching sometimes,
then standing,
While mountain goats, flint-yellow,
graze around me,
meandering like maidens
draped in flowing shawls.
They become still in the setting sun,
around me, as if I were a white-foot,
bound for the high mountain meadow,
tall-horned.
Excerpt from “The Arabian Ode in ‘L’” (Lamiyyat al-Arab), attrib. Al-Shanfarā (may Allah have mercy on him), translated by Michael A. Sells (may Allah have mercy on him) in his volume Desert Tracings.
These are the final lines of the poem and the ones most explicitly referenced by this, but of course, excerpts don’t do it justice; 64 stanzas writhing snake-like through spirits of the desert as purest distillation of outlaw’s heart. Earlier stanzas can be found here. It seems appropriate that only traces of this poem should appear online.
Al-Shanfarā is a terrible dust devil, burning himself alive. Legendary antihero, desolation and exile ensconced in the premonition of paradise. dizzying!