Archilochus Poem by Dennis Ryan

January 2,2010; revised today, January 5,2010

- written while reading Werner Jaeger's Paideia, Volume I, thechapter on Ionian and Aeolian Poetry

How truly wise and well-travelledyou are,
Archilochus, sharp-tongued and outspoken to the end—
outdoing even Homer at times.And yet, Pindar
berates you—the competitive jealousy of a different man,
aristocrat-born.Hardly anyone readshim anymore.
I prefer you, your poetry—bloodand sweat and worry.
That poemrecited to your heart: that all of life is up and down
like this, so try to keep to the middle course.Above all
else, you spoke the truth—this is why we recite you still.