A simple movement, settling back against a rope, evoking entire lives spent leaning into comfort and quiet, disengaging from din and adventure.

‘Elsewhere late afternoon goes lazily enough.

And yawning as he leaves his tent

To sigh and settle back against a rope

(As some men settle into life

Quiet in quiet rooms, supplied

With all they need by mute, obedient hands).’

Source: Christopher Logue, War Music: An account of Books 1-4 and 16-19 of Homer’s Iliad, London: Faber and Faber, 2001, p. 183

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