ΦΑΡΜΑΚΟΝ

Sourceress speaks

ἔνθ’ ἄρα Κίρκη—
I crush the leaf—
potens herbis—
the stone remembers—
ἄνδρας δ’ ἐφύβρισεν—
miscet et arte nocentem—
bitter sap runs,
venenum fit medicina,
εἰς σῦας—
sharp as frost, clean as salt—

Ὀδυσσεὺς δ’ ἔσχε μῶλυν,
idem exitium, idem remedium,
Drink it, and see—
ἀντίκαρ φαρμάκου φάρμακον—
the beast beneath your skin,
quae dat, ipsa rapit—
the root in your blood.

Too much—ἔνθ’ ἄρα Κίρκη—
and the earth tilts,
venenum—medicine—ruin—
Just enough, and the wound closes.

Every green thing—
εἰς σῦας—
is double.
Child of sun,
atque eadem vires—
child of soil.

My hand offers both,
moly against moly,
venenum fit medicina—
My cup is danger.
φάρμακον, φάρμακον—
My cup is grace.