By Thomas Page
A father and son,
Telemachus and
The lost Odysseus
Penelope’s basket and
Sisyphus’ rock;
Both always undone
Dyed-blue bearded god,
Brother heavenly thundered,
Mimics by shaking
Homer’s xenia,
Custom hospitality,
Stories and cyclops
Boiling marrow
Dry from bones, fear slowly cooks
Courage from strong legs
The eagle and geese
War in Penelope’s dreams
Talons like arrows
String a bow, quiver
An arrow, shoot through axe heads
To win home again