a child the ocean

                           Salamis silt sea bed                                                             

                           if it were different

                           God could strike again

                           the Greeks tell lies

                           he seems as wary

                           as a dove’s eye                                                                    

                           the night now shot

                           dawn astounds from tomorrow

                           while crazy horses wander

                           the meadows kill Greeks

                           root & branch                                                                       

                           a breath draws under

                           the zodiac of fire

                           listens to whispers billow

                           Odysseus’ necklace of ears

                           hears what he says                                                              

                           the fool will imagine

                           his own better ending

                           in which you die

                           the price of fame

                           even the dead ask                                                                

                           who won’t believe it

                           he once was lucky

                           seemed to rise up

                           held on the shoulders

                           of his adoring enemies                                                        

                           buoyed by their screams

                           it’s beyond you now

                           to make out voices

                           in all the noise

                           stop him from shouting                                                       

                           it can’t hurt much

                           when the eye shuts

                           you’ll hear birds call

                           & will only open

                           for a silent throat                                                                 

                           Artemis fond of bulls                                                           

                           the story goes

                           it’s such a shame

                           pushed him the milling herd                                                

                           she’s jealous that you cheated her

                           of some prize

                           false, ungifted, on the hunt

                           or was it bronzebodied War?

                           the spear lays blame nightly                                                

                           disgrace makes its plan

                           out of your mind,                                                                 

                           Telamon’s good boy,

                           to hack at cattle

                           inspired, my boy, really inspired                                          

                           rumor & Zeus & Phoebus refuse

                           if by sham

                           two kings allege you mythic

                           the image of Sisyphus’ kin

                           don’t—don’t—stay inside, sir                                              

                           or the rumor fits

                           on your feet!

                           you’re off balance

                           while you stagger on the sidelines

                           an idiot makes headlines

                           so easy & so arrogant

                           —a walk in the park—

                           put them in hysterics

                           you’ll laugh someday if

                           you survive the pain