Reading the Iliad in Time of War

reading the Iliad in time of war

the blood, the corpses, the victors and the dead

cities in ruins, captives carried away

salvation snatched from the bowels of a domesticated beast

bright sun makes pages glare and hurt my eyes

I retreat to the shade

the story never has a different ending

discarded orange peel warrior foretells the coming slaughter

one side goes home in triumph

the other, a pile rubble, future narrators will judge

10-29-24