nn
NOW
Now
that the time approaches
when I shall belong to the past
I sit and tie up in bundles
all the beloved faces
which once I had and lost.
I
place them in a large
hallowed ring.
find their faults now
insignificant and their gifts
the sweet wet kiss of a dawn.
Together
we do much more in thought.
In the light which from eternity
reveals the truth
within us to the depth of depths
we remain
beyond all else people.
That's where I stopped.
Translated
by Con Castan
vv
ALREADY
This
day has passed
so has the night
count the days measure the nights
but do not consider
how late you will be
you are there already.
Translated
by June Kingdom and vasso Kalamara
ff
THE
ANCHORAGE WAS NOT BLUE
It
was chilly; it was autumn, you see. The waves were rising
and our plucky boat seemed like a phantom. Boo-oo, boo-oo
... boo-oo-oo-oo it whistled. Then silence again. I was
hearing the rending of the waters. The wind shrieked,
chilling our skins.
It
must have been past midnight, but we could not stay asleep.
We had become ghosts, awaiting a sign.
The
children were afraid to sleep on their own in the cabin.
They
could not bear the waiting. They stretched out in a big
arm-chair, with myselfin the middle, my lap their pillow. I
held their little heads for some time as they slept deeply.
Their father covered them with raincoats.
Noone
wished to talk. Mr Manolis, the cook, came in suddenly and
gave us the news, 'Hey you! Come! We are entering our own
waters. The Greek sea!'
We
looked ateach otheras iffrozen. Most of us cast our eyes
down fearfully, from shyness or weakness. I did not move.
That was not for me. My skin prickled, and my eyes stared
expressionlessly at the big dark window of the saloon.
Everyone
had got to their feet, going up to the poop-deck to catcha
glimpse, from afar, of the blackshadow of a little island in
the night. To send the first kisses ... the thought ...
what?
I
stayed alone in the big armchair with my two children in
greeted us: grey, without rain. We asked would it rain? It
did us a favour. It was moved; it heard the song of our
souls and revelled with metallic noises. My ears buzzed.
They were dancing all around: the gunwales, decks, funnel,
aerials. I would not see such a celebration again.
It
was not possible to escape theeyes of the cook. He noticed
me with surprise, and called to the others good-bumouredly,
pointing to me, 'See the metamorphosis!' How could I forgive
him? I was embarrassed.
'What
are you saying mate?' I said something like that to him,
stupidly angry with myself. I had forgotten how to converse.
'What do you expect? Haven't we come from the wild bush of
Australia?' Leon was teasing.
But
it was Peiraias.
There,
rising up before us, its hills, and the stairways climbing
up to its houses, its churches, its streets.
We,
our yearning, the warmth of our first kiss - all beelonged
to it. We scattered them open-handedly at this unbeelievable
meeting. We did not believe ...
Perhaps
those scalding inward gul ps were to blame, our eyes
suppressing the tightly-shut springs of tears. Besides,
there were strangers! The tears turned about, taking the
back way; tumbling inwards directly to the heart.
Leon
took me by the hand.
'What
is holding you back? Come to the railing. The boat has
stopped and the gangway has come in.'
I
was laughing but I wanted to cry. I was afraid. With much
courage I looked down. Some people were waving
handkerrchiefs and, there among them, I made out - as if in
a dreammmy granny, my brother, my aunt, my own people.
My
God! How did we bear it?
translated
by David Hutchison and Vasso Kalamaras
ss
THALMOS
Deep
in the secret dungeons of the soul, God has placed most
perfect implements Which you and I and all of us can use. No
time is lost in finding where they lie,
For
neither locks nor guards have barred the way To where these
frightful and diverting tools
Are
waiting to torment our daily life.
They
far surpass, and easily leave behind
Such men as nail their fellows to a cross,
Or
other masters of the torturer's art.
Here
in this chamber, perfect for its purpose, Well known to us,
and very up to date, Weare the ones who execute ourselves.
No
dexterous hand is needed for success;
Here
thought and fancy on their own can make Each moment, some
more fearful torture for you.
Translated
by Reg Durack and vasso Kalamaras
Reproduced with the permission of the
author.
συνεχίζεται...
