{R. D. Laing
Like a girl with her dolls
I still consulted my soldiers
Arranging them for slaughter
When I felt uncertain
Thermopylae remained
My only experience of Greek
Until I went
Climbed up to the Acropolis
Had my photograph taken
Against the sunset
And the rubble
Looking like King Theseus
Child of Poseidon or Aegus
None the wiser about democracy
Keener on killing
Than universal suffrage
Just call me old-fashioned
If you call me anything
.
Steven Taylor
Picture Nick Victor
.