Temple of Athena the Savior

For Ares
by Amanda Forrester

Ares, the blood-stained Battle-Lord, throws Himself laughing into the fray,
Wherever the fighting is thickest
There the son of Zeus and Hera will be.
Great Ares, once I would have prayed for You to put down Your sword
And join laughter-loving Aphrodite on the couch of love.
Today I have a different prayer, O Lord of soldiers.
I am older now, and less idealistic than I was in my youth
I see the rot at the core of society now
And I pray for the strength to fight it.

You are the inciter of revolution
And the defender of the old order, all at once.
I pray for discernment, that I may see what is worth preserving,
And what needs destroying.
That I can tell when to speak
And when to hold my tongue.

Ares, Lord of Hosts,
Chariot-Rider,
Spear-Wielder,
With my Lady Athena
You…