Translation of Homer’s The Odyssey


on a night out
in Camden, three prostitutes

sang luring songs
from the Lock —

with my ears plugged
I made for Westminster’s

seat of power
for quest

to make the world safe
for circumvention

battling the one-eyed monster
in time for a presidential

round of parlour games
democracy mimed

for a festive charade
of ambition,

slicing neatly
into the golden fleece