Archilochos was the first, best warrior poet. Many of his works are in tact, but several verses have been lost. Though I am unworthy by any count of Greek warriordom this is my attempt to replace that which was lost.
268 Voracious, even,
To the bounds
Of cannibalism,
269 I remember my first time
Ares,
Aphrodite,
Demeter I do not
recall
270 Grinding shields
271 A horrifying tugging at my groin
272 Sweat
Drying to a crust on the skin
Blood crusting over old wounds
Spittle dripping from our tongues
Foam sticking
273 Hard flesh
Made harder by wine
Is never hard enough
274 Swords penetrate
275 Blood spills
276 I want people to be happy
They should have what they want
We will all lie in arms of Persephone soon enough
277 Are you her?
278 No. The wine would be better.
279 Virtue matters.
280 Give me virtue
In it’s natural state.
281 Give me beauty
Worthy of the blood of a thousand men.
Give me truth
to act as a shield for all I have done.
Give me goodness
if such a thing exists somewhere.
282 No. Instead….