sexy evil feminist lady wears 9 inch boots

I know not if fate would have us live as one

Or if by love's blind chance we've been bound

The wish i whispered, when it all began

Now of course, these two are born out of love, Aphrodite. Love for your people, who you might lose, by your death or theirs. Love for what you're fighting for, whatever that may be. Love for yourself, the most dangerous thing you can lose when you're blinded by emotion. And even love for your opponents, because maybe you truly don't want to hurt them.

Love makes you afraid for what you might lose in life, a constant battle with your surroundings and yourself.

Almost nothing is more terrifying than love. What if you lose everyone? What if you don't lose your people, but your love itself? What if you never get to have it? Or even scarier, what if you do?

The constant battle of living and the inevitable need for love we have is the most terrifying thing in the world. But is that not what we are?

Gold-helmeted, strong Ares, chariot-mounted,

Hard in your will, hand, shield, and spear; bronze armored,

Staunch city saver, bulwark of Olympus,

Father of Victory, helper of Themis,

Tyrant to enemies, leader of good men,

King over manliness! Your fiery globe whirls

Among the seven planets’ tracks, your horses

Blazing forever over the third orbit.

Hear me, ally of mortals, maker of fine youth:

Rain gently from on high into my being

Brightness and martial strength. Let me have power

To shake out of my head the bitter panic,

Defeating with my mind my soul’s false impulse,

And yet keep down the temper that provokes me

Toward icy strife. But blessed god, give courage—

The kind that lives in peace among the mild laws,

Away from combat and death’s savage demons.

—————

Notes:

As a war God, Ares is often associated with bloodshed and savagery, in contrast to Athena, Goddess of just warfare. Here, in a hymn in his honor, he is presented more positively. 

Themis is the Goddess associated with order and justice. 

Each word, stanza, punctuation, capitalization (and lack thereof) and space, is intentional.

The Northman (by Robert Eggers)

Prince of Olympus, whose parents are the Just Rulers, the King and Queen,

Ares who guides the spear of the defender,

Ares who strings the bow of the attacker.

I sing of Ares the righteous

I sing of Ares the bloody

I sing of Ares, who rides with Eris

Father of Phobos

Father of Deimos

Mighty lover of Aphrodite

I sing of golden-helmed Ares who wields the sword