Death & Dying

Book XIV, 5: Riddle

by Anonymous (Greek Anthology) various, 7th c. BC – 10th c. AD

Translated by W. R. Paton (1916–18) · From The Greek Anthology (Loeb, vol. V, 1918)

Death & Dying

I am the black child of a white father; a wingless bird, flying even to the clouds of heaven. I give birth to tears of mourning in pupils that meet me, and at once on my birth I am dissolved into air.

✦ ✦ ✦

Answer: Smoke.

MLA

Anonymous (Greek Anthology). “Book XIV, 5: Riddle.” Translated by W. R. Paton. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-greek-anthology/807/.

Chicago

Anonymous (Greek Anthology). “Book XIV, 5: Riddle.” Translated by W. R. Paton. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-greek-anthology/807/.

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