qarrtsiluni

anaximander
makes the world’s
first map
the centre is where he is
at least at first
he draws the things
he can see
and then
when they are not
enough
the places
he has only heard of

anaximander
sits back in the sun
he makes the world
a cylinder
it makes sense
at the time
he surrounds it
with water
looking out over
the blinding blue
of the sea
it seems
only logical

anaximander
makes the world’s
first map
draws it in the sand
at his feet
the limitless sand
which he will whisper
to himself
may be called apeiron
looking over his shoulder
in case anyone
god or man
can hear
his wife is calling
even a philosopher
must eat
he moves his hand
across the world
and it is gone
the cartographer
becomes destroyer
then eats olives
in the sun

by Morgan Downie

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