REPETITIONS, SECOND SERIES
We and Hercules
Great and glorious, they tell you, son of God, and a lot
of teachers over him,
old Linus, son of Apollo, to educate him, Eurotos who
taught him the art of archery, Eumolpus, son of Philemon
taught him to sing and play the lyre but most important,
Hermes’ son, Arpalycos, with half of his forehead covered by
his thick, huge eyebrows, taught him the art of the Argeans:
tripping, with which he could win most things, in wrestling,
boxing, even in the Letters.
However, we, sons of mortals, without teachers, only with
our own will
with patience and struggle became who we became. We haven’t
felt inferior we never lowered our eyes. Our only diplomas three
words: Makronisos, Yaros, Leros. And if one day you find our
verses clumsy, remember they were written under the noses
of the guards, and with the spear always poking our side. Our
verses don’t need any excuses either, take them as they are, naked.
A dry Thucydides will touch you more than the artsy Xenophon.
Manolis Aligizakis 