Wintry Mix

Hercules wrestles with the giant Antaeus, the son of Earth, Gaia. Late Archaic Attic red figure krater signed Euphronios, ca. 515–505 B.C.E. Musée du Louvre, Paris.

Let each new hero come

Seeking the golden apples and Atlas.

—Seamus Heaney, "Antaeus" (1966)

I shall not like famous Seamus

Revive Antaeus, the giant

Who drew strength from Mother Gaia.

His elevation was his Fall.

Earth still retains Her power, true—

But not for him, O foolish you,

Who've thrown a pretty world away

And on a wintry evening stew.

Our plans and policies betray

The Atlas of our ignorance—

And willed stupidity enhance.

Believing what we think, we prance

Along this seeming golden way.

You will, won't you, save me the dance?

Wednesday, February 4, 2026