Regale me with tales
of woe and glory,
of heroes at resplendent
feasts and maidens
kidnapped by Zeus-as-beast.
Leave out the unpleasant parts,
and avoid witches and dark arts.
In fact, just talk about the people.
None of the nonsense that couldn’t
possibly have happened.
…whatever do you mean
‘there’s nothing to tell?’
Surely Cadmus–surely Odin–surely Krsna
surely any of them could be discussed
without their fictitious acts!
I suppose you’re right.
Without Myth, there is no Man.
Editor’s Note: This is from Ian’s excellent Bilge Pump of a Turgid Mind.