'Who offered to me, Ares the sacker of cities, rich cakes, and grapes, and roses? Let them offer these to the Nymphs, but I, bold Ares, accept not bloodless sacrifices on my altars.'  --L*onidas  of Al*xandria, Th* Gr**k Anthology I., vi. 324 (Lo*b tr W R Paton, 1916)


    "A Lay of Pain and Want"

1.

slowworm
against a pallid sky
my car high on a tow truck back
again

as luck would have it

2.

stairway to downfall
climbing a stairway to downfall

3.

upturn cars burning
glass crashing
dark falls in globs
mad moon anchor
city point
glowworm to downfall

4.

languid warm painting

badlands murmur

quotidian built road