fallslikesnow

The neon's and the cigarettes Rented rooms and rented cars The crowded streets, the empty bars Chimney tops and trumpets The golden lights, the loving prayers The coloured shoes, the empty trains I'm tired of crying on the stairs The downtown lights

Truth-loving Persians do not dwell upon The trivial skirmish fought near Marathon. As for the Greek theatrical tradition Which represents that summer's expedition Not as a mere reconnaisance in force By three brigades of foot and one of horse (Their left flank covered by some obsolete Light craft detached from the main Persian fleet) But as a grandiose, ill-starred attempt To conquer Greece - they treat it with contempt; And only incidentally refute Major Greek claims, by stressing what repute The Persian monarch and the Persian nation Won by this salutary demonstration: Despite a strong defence and adverse weather All arms combined magnificently together. -- Robert Graves