A Good Place for Next Spring
The tomb of Philopappos is on the Hill of the Muses, opposite the Acropolis
You don't know me.
I am Philopappos.
Your book says I was born in Syria
and held high offices of state here
in Athens.
When I died my family built this tomb,
tall as five men,
decorated with scenes from my life.
What I have to say is:
this monument still stands.
Socrates, Plato and all those others,
whose lives and works
are better known than mine,
are only on the page,
but I am on the ground.
I am too old to attract attention,
my lonely pillar on the hill
has become a natural outcrop,
chipped, smashed and smoothed,
too damaged to provoke more envy,
only the wind and rain still bother
to try and wear me out.
I will last another thousand years,
outlive, perhaps, all books and memory,
and everyone, everywhere.
The lizards will know me,
with their feet,
and the Autumn swallow will record
a good place
for next Spring.
Page(s) 34
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