Barren salt sea

a remix of phrases from Robert Fagles' translation of book 8 of Homer's Odyssey

by HANNAH DIGGS

Barren salt sea gave the man
the power of stirring, rapturous song.
Real men, savage war of words,
step right up and try me. Pain weighs
on my spirit now--beaten down by one
too many blows. You're no athlete.
Your mind inside is worthless. To me you owe
the gift of life, Lord of armies.
Spirit stirs me on to sing and weep
as a woman weeps.