Aristides Poem by Joseph S. Josephides

‘Stranger, scratch for me on this shell Aristides’ name
to banish him away’ an aged illiterate Athenian begged
General Aristides who happened to pass by.

‘This way’, Aristides advises him and scratches,
then stands aside to let the aged man autonomous
to exercise his right of voting as an ordinary citizen,
though he knew he increases his conviction by one
due to ignorance (the General turned his face to hide
a tear for the Knowledge that takes us so far away) .

I don’t envy those who gain by who supported the right of an ignorant person,
though you could easily mislead and cheat him.

My grape, you are not blotted out in the wine-press
for you become wine, taste and perfume for all folks.

Being exiled you are a pendulum lifted up to upper point,
yet your dislocation is instantaneous. You save energy
so your gravity turns into motion and thus you return
down to the central point of the equilibrium, oh virtue.



© Joseph S. Josephides