#15 - Puppies Undertake Apotheosis

Trawling ides, Fay Roberts finds inspiration in strange, old rituals and cycles of secretive, sanguine social structures.

Round and round the Palatine the bold young wolflings stride,
striking those who ask for it as in the days of old.
It’s hard not to be confident with gods ranged on your side.

They know full well – they’re often told – how they’re their mothers’ pride,
and all the gifts with which they’re blessed have caused them to be bold.
Round and round the Palatine the bold young wolflings stride.

Although it’s been vouchsafed to them the world is very wide,
they’d rather stay right here, at large, than risk the broader wold
(it’s hard not to be confident with odds ranged on your side).

Blood-bedecked, demanding laughs, they take their strips of hide,
and go in search of desperate girls who’re told their blows are gold.
Round and round the Palatine the bold young wolflings stride.

They’ve been persuaded to this place by older, bolder guides
who promise wisdom in exchange for something like a soul.
It’s hard not to be confident with gods right by your side.

They find their faith is strengthened, the more that they’re decried;
they’ll purge the world of opposition, never mind the scolds.
Round and round the Palatine the bold young wolflings stride;
it’s hard not to be confident with gods ranged on your side.

Lupercalia, by Andrea Camassei (c.1635), found via the Mental Floss article about the festival
(image description in alt-text)