Of Protesilaos Protesilaos, rare in name and temperament Hailing from the ghost village in the land of the cypress tree My refugee mother and contrarian father raised me where rudderless ships travel between worlds Born in the age of the dragon with eyes of indeterminate colour like the liminality I traverse In salt I am forever covered and Mediterranean zest I bring to the solitary highlands I inhabit Stable as the falcon valley rocks I keep in my company wolf and sheep My house stands between ancient oaks where eagles fly above the canes Peaceful dove and crafty crow alike find shelter in my midst The burden of duty I always carry to inspire through earnest deed earthbound action of skyward thought In slow pace content I am to discern the common in the multitude and many through the one Transanimated hope I am and ever-growing grapevine From fact to myth I proceed with equanimous heart to offer people gifts galore that were never mine to keep When the brightest dog barks while frogs are silent in the river of milk I dive to reach at the furthest edges the temple few can fathom where my next mission awaits