Ajax' Logic

A TFP poem

Ajax, son of Telamon, plants his sword in the ground, preparing to commit suicide. Fragment of the decoration of a black-figure amphora by Exekias. Circa 530–525 B.C. (Wikimedia Commons).

Ajax’ Logic

Blindness won’t suffice,
won’t erase the cries, 

the bawling of beasts 
slaughtered by my sword, 

my word, my hand raised 
believing them enemies. 

Children are in danger. 
Honor is action not intention. 

Delusion is internal ignorance. 
Guilt is not dependent on knowing. 

Shame is not dependent on seeing.
Knowledge of the act is enough. 

Poor Oedipus, bathed in darkness. 
My breath becomes my eyes.

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TFP IS A PROUD MEMBER OF THE IOWA WRITERS COLLABORATIVE

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