1.1 Ostracism

by Eric Chaet

From Athens,
galleys propelled
by 3 tiers of slaves
with oars
carried red & black vases
with handles
filled with olive oil & wine
& heavily-armed foot-soldiers
& orators
who’d studied sophistry
who proclaimed to citizens
& women, slaves, & children
of islands & coastal cities
all over the Mediterranean Sea
how it would be.

Each year,
600 oligarchs casting ballots
(they used shards
of broken vases)
voted to ostracize & expel
the Athenian who most upset
efficient execution
of their exploitation plans.

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Statue:
said to represent Socrates
sculptor unknown