The Logos of Artemis

Cruel Men of Greece, how you preen, how you prance.
At the city that once paid me honors, you scream your triumph
and Laugh over the scattered coals. Unthinking of me
and those that have run to my greatest temple.

You dare not follow them there, for outside
your walls and fires, beyond the reach of your spears
do my arrows wait in contemplation.
You think to please me by giving up that which you value.

Your child, even, you offer unto me and swear
that nothing is to dear to be offered if it slake
the righteous wages for your desires
So, you burned the city, and stuffed your sacks.

Not one earned coin lay among your booty
And not one moment of rest shall you enjoy
for the memories of those you have wronged
will lay in the forests and the trees.

They shall shrink from you as you take
Seeking ever to plumb the secrets
Of that which chooses to deny you
your oh so glorious wisdom and ritual.

For when I set my own feet upon the battlefield
my mother reminded me that it was not my place.
For it is the sport of proud and strong men
who run to besiege the gates of Hades.

Bitter tears did I weep at the injustice,
For I wished to strike at the heart
Of those that would do my domain harm
And laugh as my beasts took sustenance.

But I looked upon the field and saw my friends
cut down one by one. I saw the futile struggle
And then I let loose an arrow from hiding
and struck down the heroes with the softest release

For that is the way that you will be hurt.
Not upon the field where you stand proud
but as you sail home. Your glory turned
to the darts and stones of the beaten.

For you have won nothing, save the multitude
of filth flung at your back, the icy stare
of a woman who falsely claims to love your violation
and the swelling of the ranks of my attendants.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOvsyamoEDg]

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detroitmechworks's picture

Thanks to Artemis for her words. Course, If you've seen my tattoo, you know I have a strong affection for her.

Thanks always to the Muses for relaying it, and to everybody for their reading and words of encouragement.

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I do not pretend I know what I do not know.

@detroitmechworks I ain't got enough Other shit to research, now I gotta go back and brush up on the Classics?
Thanks for the extra assignment, Teach!

Love this shit BTW.

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Ya got to be a Spirit, cain't be no Ghost. . .

Explain Bldg #7. . . still waiting. . .

If you’ve ever wondered whether you would have complied in 1930’s Germany,
Now you know. . .
sign at protest march

detroitmechworks's picture

@Tall Bald and Ugly And I'm pretty much leaving out the Odyssey at least as far as that these pieces are set between the Iliad and the Odyssey. (The Odyssey isn't discounted, just foreshadowed.)

And honestly, I was thinking about possibly trying to hunt down a Rosetta stone pirate copy for Greek/Ancient Greek. (Still regretting not taking the chance in the Army. I started with Arabic as ordered, but Really didn't care for the language and dropped it fast.) I mean, I've always wanted to learn the language, and this might be a good time to get started.

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I do not pretend I know what I do not know.

enhydra lutris's picture

@detroitmechworks
huntress.

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

detroitmechworks's picture

@enhydra lutris than many other presentations. However, this was what she had to say at this moment in time, so I think it's rather an interesting moment.

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Alligator Ed's picture

Not one earned coin lay among your booty
And not one moment of rest shall you enjoy
for the memories of those you have wronged
will lay in the forests and the trees.

And I hope this to be the destiny of the Neoliberals who assail us. Will they survive in their bunkers and palaces?

So I think your poetry pertains quite fittingly to our so-called modern times. Why are they called modern when so many have failed to learn from the past?

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detroitmechworks's picture

@Alligator Ed piece and her warnings about games that always are in need of new players.

Yeah, I find it interesting that it's also a foreshadowing of many of the Heroes of Greece's fates, for they were cursed in their victory and many met extremely unhappy ends.

Always glad to hear that some imagery and ideas can be taken multiple ways. Smile

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I do not pretend I know what I do not know.