@Alligator Ed and I knew that Ares would not understand how anyone can not share his point of view, and be baffled by any response save that of cheers and righteous victory.

And yeah, I admit that I completely stole former presidential positions for Ares' speech. They seemed appropriate.

This is the duality of response to war--one is peace; the other is more war. So some will cheer the destruction of battle "so that Battle will bring us peace". This wish is flawed from outset. How can killing make us more peaceful? Explain that, you warmongering Neocons. The way to peace is not war nor is it surrender. Peace must be earned by good faith negotiation, neither bullying nor abject surrender. So the self-serving apology of Ares satisfies no one of good faith. Realizing that Ares self-satisfied posture, that War is righteous when righteously fault, will never be true, represents a foundation for action--disregard Ares--but how possible?

Thank you for another beautiful poem.

@mhagle I know it's an added expense, but this is one of those ones that if it comes out like it should will be a play in the end. And nothing is better for an actor than having a nice script to write notes in.

Was commenting on Twitter that if this goes as well as I hope, there will be at least 20 roles for women, all with monologues, which is extremely unusual for a play in my experience. It's absolutely geared as an ensemble piece, and has plenty of places to insert music, lighting, mood music, etc. But I admit my theater geek is showing, and I couldn't help but imagine a man standing on the stage shouting GLORY! while most of the chorus and other characters look on with pity.

It would be great for discussion in a study group.

I hope you compile your collection and publish it in Kindle. Even though amazon is evil . . . yes yes I know . . . you can publish and share it at no cost. Or there might be a less evil venue that would work as well.

Like I said before, don't have words to do it justice, but these writings speak to my soul.

@thanatokephaloides Yes, I'm trying to have the images and the stories flow from one to the next. I envision many of the heroes speeches the same way, but as a separate act. I also want to have pieces for each of the muses, and yes, even Terpsichore. (Since she represents the chorus, I'm thinking a call and return might be a useful rhythmic tool for representing her station.)

Why have they turned from my visage and looked across the sea.
Nothing waits for them there. No Glory. Nothing, save Home.

Now here's a kickoff point for "The Logos of Poseidon" if ever there was one!

Excellent work, DMW!

@yellopig He's a bit of a warning about how we can fall victim to our own weaknesses. His running at the slightest wound, affairs with married women, and general hypocrisy are representative of the Professional soldier in his worst form. Angry, self-righteous, and prideful, he revels in the battle for all of the wrong reasons, but is very representative of a warrior culture.

He's a very "Barbarian" god, to be honest, compared to many of the other Gods. Perhaps in a ancient echo of Catholic Dogma changing there was a tribe that needed integration into the Hellenic world, and lo and behold there was a Greek God that just happened to match the ethos of the tribe in question...

Guessing, of course, since I have no idea.

Every line reminded me how much I loathe that guy, and why. And every one of his fans and followers, too.

And yet. And yet…

Ares is a god, after all. There is a reason why He is included in the pantheon. And I don't think it's because the Greeks of so long ago were "primitive" (compared to ourselves), or child-like, or unsophisticated. I don't think those things are true of the ancient Greeks. Rather, I think that Ares must provide some necessary role or function that is obscure to me. The very fact that He's there must be a key to something important about us humans. Food for thought,

I am provoked. Thank you!