I am Eratosthenes' heir -- the librarian
who measured earth. He took an obelisk,
a well, the sun, and made a triangle:
geometry, simple and accurate.

A cartographer of sorts -- I measure
earth with words. I have drawn roads
and made them impassable. I have laid
railroad tracks to serve as escape
routes. I have surveyed rivers and
seas by touch and taste. And yet,
I ignore my point of departure or
destination: only know the lands
that lie in between.

Growing up under an obelisk's shadow I
heard the story of genocide, of World
War II, read geography, poems,
swallowed them whole and learned -- but

this journey never ceases.
Mapmaking is a life-long task.

- Beatriz Badikian

Go: home | list of poems | contact the author

copyright © 2000-2002, Beatriz Badikian & the e-poets network
All rights reserved.
Duplication or reproduction of the text and audio works contained herein is not permitted without the written consent of the contributing artists.
All work published herein is presented by permission of the contributing artists.