Apollo’s First Altar
Even Gods can’t endure loneliness — when Apollo,
victorious over Python, returned to Aliartos and alone
built his altar in the holy forest, next to Telphusa’s
spring, he looked around — no one was there — he was
master of the place, oh, yes, but alone (he thought) —
who would do offerings to him, who would enjoy his
secret oracles and especially who would admire
his beautiful hair, falling on his shoulders?
Thus, he forced the first passing ship headed for Pylos
to run aground in front of Krissa, on its sandy bottom
and he kept as guards and prophets of his temple, those
who from the forested Knossos were sailing to go and sell
tobacco and olive oil — small merchants who they were,
ignorant young men and simple oars-men.
Thus it went.
And they dignified Apollo’s temple, somehow explaining
his oracles. That statue, in the Museum, shows him with
an irresolute smile of happiness and leniency.
Libros Libertad 