#odes

[ghostofnuggetspast]

See Ao3 for the story around this ode, and prepare yourself for the emotional whiplash of Reichenbach angst as one does in this fandom. Godspeed.

Ode to His Hair that Beggars Belief It's So Good

by Dr John H. Watson

O Glorious Curls on my flatmate's head, What part do you play for this body of the man I adore?

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You frame his every look and word, softening, Breaking the angles of the unnecessary cut — The glare, the roll, the shotgun details — The shake and free writhe of you on his head Brings to mind the most gorgeous of gorgons A silken Medusa that will strike me to stone If I stare too long. You are mesmerizing.

+

At his rising, you are a fluffy cloud of rich, dark haze, And I smile at the sight. If only I could run my eager hands through you, Scratching lightly at his warm scalp. I know he would purr. I know it like I know water from wine, A fact. When will I have this indulgence? Do I have the trust-bond he would need? I hope to hear that joy and be glad.

+

He spends time to arrange you curls, To order your inherent chaos So you become a piece of armor, Protection from the derision and cruelty Of the idiots around him. Clean feathers, perfumed arcs, abundant product. You are stunning to see, yes. Many agree! But I? I would prefer to take your precise shape And gently wreck it. Restore the wildness at your heart, Breathe in your sweet warmth. Rub you on my cheek. I see you.

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O willful black crown upon his head, Someday you will grey and perhaps even leave us. I will love you whilst you stay, Care for you with good food, oils, and hands. I want him to smile. I want him to purr. I want him. I want.

@helloliriels @chriscalledmesweetie @friday411 @totallysilvergirl @peanitbear @naefelldaurk @keirgreeneyes @calaisreno @ohlooktheresabee

[trickstersaint]

echoes across worlds // april 26 2024

[anxiouslyfred]

An Ode to Fanfic Comments

If fanfic is a playground

Comments build the crowd:

They say I'm not alone

And joy is shared by the sound.

It's hearing echoes back

From words that I let go,

Jumping for joy from simple hearts

That they've touched someone so.

How oft are comments simple words

That send me working on?

A moments thought after reading

An idea I grew upon.

What joy to get any response

To these little adventures made;

To know my work won't be forgot

If a comment came my way.

Write for yourself, people say,

But I share to reach for them,

And each comment coming in return

Are hands clasping mine again.

So fanfic comments held so dear,

I'll dream of more coming here.

Yet even if silence echoes back,

My pen still writes I fear.

[dabiconcordia]

Happy the man

Happy the man, and happy he alone, he who can call today his own: he who, secure within, can say, Tomorrow do thy worst, for I have lived today.

Be fair or foul, or rain or shine the joys I have possessed, in spite of fate, are mine. Not Heaven itself, upon the past has power, but what has been, has been, and I have had my hour. By Horace

[Odes]

[mint-in-the-moonlight]

Horace: Ode 2.10

You’ll live a better life, Licinius, not always braving the open ocean or, too scared of storms, always hugging close to the rough shore.

Whoever loves and respects the Golden Mean lives safe — his roof will never let the rains in — lives modest, unbegrudged for his obscene and gaudy mansion.

Often the tallest pines writhe in the wind’s teeth; the loftiest towers fall with the loudest crash; the tops of mountains are blasted most beneath the lightning’s flash.

Hopeful in adversity, apprehensive in prosperity, is the heart that prepares well for either fate. Jupiter brings the winter, but also takes it back.

For even if right now times are bad, they won't be that way forever: Apollo doesn't always tense his bow, but sometimes he inspires the silent Muses.

When the straits you sail have narrowed, show yourself to be undaunted and bold — yet also be wise and tuck your sails when they're swelled by too strong a following wind.

Translation by Christopher Childers (first three paragraphs) and Peter Saint-Andre (last three paragraphs)

[hysteriacult]

Ode To Aphrodite

Deathless Aphrodite, throned in flowers,

Daughter of Zeus, O terrible enchantress,

With this sorrow, with this anguish, break my spirit

Lady, not longer!

Hear anew the voice! O hear and listen!

Come, as in that island dawn thou camest,

Billowing in thy yoked car to Sappho

Forth from thy father's

Golden house in pity! ... I remember:

Fleet and fair thy sparrows drew thee, beating

Fast their wings above the dusky harvests,

Down the pale heavens,

Lightning anon! And thou, O blest and brightest,

Smiling with immortal eyelids, asked me:

'Maiden, what betideth thee? Or wherefore

Callest upon me?

'What is here the longing more than other,

Here in this mad heart? And who the lovely

One beloved that wouldst lure to loving?

Sappho, who wrongs thee?

'See, if now she flies, she soon must follow;

Yes, if spurning gifts, she soon must offer;

Yes, if loving not, she soon must love thee,

Howso unwilling...'

Come again to me! O now! Release me!

End the great pang! And all my heart desireth

Now of fulfillment, fulfill! O Aphrodite,

Fight by my shoulder!

Sappho

[mikec137]

Mägenwil, Switzerland, February 2025