Simonides of Crete - Bruce Moody

[Larry Robinson]

Simonides of Crete

 

I read Simonides of Crete.

His words twenty-five centuries ago

speak as living stone:

 

“Across the pale stillness

of water, keel-carven,

these lovely eyes of desire

drag the ship to her doom.”

 

He speaks from a character of firm kindness

and, as you can see, also from a respect for the strong arm of nature.

 

He speaks of climbing the rock walls to Virtue,

and how only those with sweat, with clenched concentration and courage 

reach the peak,

but also how blithe her attendant there are

as they celebrate their hymns.

 

And, likewise (for even the Gods had their defects),

how to never expect perfection from any mortal –

forgiving those especially whose luck was bad.

 

And how finally  (how fate-grave all Greek poetry is!)

Prosperity may vanish

or overturn.

The light-lifting wing of a dragonfly

is not more swift.

 

I like hard Greek conclusions. Except that, of course,

Fate may, but spirit does not,

ever 

really 

conclude.

 

	- Bruce Moody