Gravity: the Greeks and the Old Testament
How Hitler-like and heavy is the past,
How wonderful and marble-like its weight
Upon our brains and guts. The Greeks loom vast;
…
The Hebrews, too. Their fires in myth frustrate.
We can’t escape to newness. We are crushed
With ancient needs refusing to dispose
Themselves politely. They will not be hushed,
Or tamed, or banished. Burdens that they pose
Are worse than rock. Their loads are flesh and bone
And wet-voice breath in dithyrambs though we
Can only guess the meaning of the stone
And poetry. Their words and statues free
Old threats inside us. They are uncles. They
Both love and hurt us. They will have their way.