Poetry
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"Before the Silence"
Archival News Reports of the Christian Holocaust that Begs to be Remembered
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- To Ήθος του Λογοτέχνη
24 grammata
Αποκάλυψη
Μανώλης Αλυγιζάκης
Αποκάλυψη
Κείνες τις μέρες νοιώθαμε πως είμαστε στον δεύτερο
μήνα εγκυμοσύνης κι ο πόνος είχε σταθερή διάσταση
σαν υποτείνουσα μεταξύ σκέψης και συναισθήματος
σαν ένα χαμόγελο με πείσμα κι είμασταν πια
μεγάλοι για να μάθουμε παιγνίδια καινούργια γι αυτό
εμείναμε πιστοί στου ανέμου το πανάρχαιο μαστίγωμα
πάντα μακριά απ’ τα όνειρά μας, αλήθεια, μια ασήμαντη
εξέλιξη.
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Posted in Canada, Greek, Λογοτεχνία, Μετάφραση, Ποίηση, Translation
Tagged apocalypse, αποκάλυψη
2 Comments
Saturation
N.N. Trakakis
The sky and its thousand stars
stare back in sadness
as do I
in the pre-dawn hours
resigning the world
without sleep
that better it might be regained
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The Armenian Mother
Lawrence Darrell
The earthquake struck Armenia quickly
And spread its devastation swiftly;
From its innards the earth rumbled
Then its outer surface crumbled
And everything standing on it tumbled.
Shocked and stunned, the Armenians ran,
Fearful and tearful and shattered,
As the ground sputtered and shuddered-
The horror and terror in their voices
Echoing nature’s destructive noises.
Duty
Manolis Aligizakis
Canada
Duty
It was all lost. It was the time of Hades and
since our God was dead we planted a hyacinth in
the pot and that, perhaps, was another act of redemption.
Posted in Canada, English, Λογοτεχνία, Μετάφραση, Ποίηση, Literature, Poetry
Tagged duty, χρέος
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The Street That Was Not Named “Pasolini Street”
Manolis Aligizakis
Wide morning in Rome that widens the consonant l
amid the vendors yelling, the tires of buses
and the statues’ silence.
Ocher shadowed in the eastern facades
of stores and buildings. Doors and doors uphold
the semicircles of shadows at one time. Strange –
he said –
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Posted in Canada, English, Μετάφραση, Literature, Poetry, Translation
Tagged Pasolini, street
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Vatican Museum
“Yannis Ritsos-Poems”
translation Manolis Aligizakis
da Vinci Raphael Michelangelo, – how they incised
the greatest skies in the human face, in the human body
toenails and fingernails, leaves and stars, nipples, dreams, lips, –
to red and the light blue the tangible and the inconceivable. Perhaps from
touching of these two fingers the world was reborn. The space
between these two fingers still measures accurately
the earth’s pull and duration.
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Emotions
Swirling emotions, once a sea
of distinct black and white
feelings -
flow together into a gray,
misty sunset
One teardrop at a time
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Posted in English, Literature, Poetry, Romantic Poetry, United States
Tagged emotions, music, piano, poem, soul
1 Comment
Διαπίστωση
Μανώλης Αλυγιζάκης
Καναδάς
Ναι, το ξέραμε πως ο προδότης πάντα κρυβόταν μέσα
στον ίσκιο του μισογκρεμισμένου τοίχου, στου πιστολιού
σκανδάλη το δάχτυλό του έτοιμο δικαιοσύνη ν’ αποδώσει
όπως την περιγράφανε αρχέγονα βιβλία, άλογη λογική
που μέλλονταν να αποτύχει κι εμείς πιο κοντά ζούσαμε
στην ανωνυμία και στους αρχαίους όρκους κάποτε
που δώσαμε, όταν ο επισκέπτης μας φώναξε ‘αδέρφια’
κι ήταν σαν ρόδα ν’ άνθισαν μέσα στην παγωνιά Δεκέμβρη
κι ήταν αυτό σαν μαζική μεταρσιακή ενέργεια που
περίεργα κοιτάξαμε ένα γύρω, οποιοσδήποτε μπορούσε
λοιπόν σε μια λέξη ή μες στου γείτονα τον κήπο
να βρει το μυστικό της ανθρωπότητας.
Discovery
Yes, we knew it: the traitor always lurked in
the shadow of the half standing wall with his grip
on the revolver’s trigger ready to spread justice
described in the primeval book, logic illogical doomed
to fail and we lived tightly close to anonymity and
to the ancient oaths, given once, when the visitor called us
‘brothers’ and it was as though roses bloomed in the frost
of December, it was like a collective rapture of energy that
we looked around in wonder: one could still discover
the secret of humanity in a word or in the neighbor’s
garden.
Manolis Aligizakis
Canada
Posted in Canada, Country, Greek, Λογοτεχνία, Μετάφραση, Ποίηση, Literature, Poetry, Translation
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The Flame
Nature’s Caress
Guilt
Tasos Livaditis, ‘Diaspora’
Translation Manolis Aligizakis
Ναι, το ξέραμε πως ο προδότης πάντα κρυβόταν μέσα
στον ίσκιο του μισογκρεμισμένου τοίχου, στου πιστολιού
σκανδάλη το δάχτυλό του έτοιμο δικαιοσύνη ν’ αποδώσει
όπως την περιγράφανε αρχέγονα βιβλία, άλογη λογική
που μέλλονταν να αποτύχει κι εμείς πιο κοντά ζούσαμε
στην ανωνυμία και στους αρχαίους όρκους κάποτε
που δώσαμε, όταν ο επισκέπτης μας φώναξε ‘αδέρφια’
κι ήταν σαν ρόδα ν’ άνθισαν μέσα στην παγωνιά Δεκέμβρη
κι ήταν αυτό σαν μαζική μεταρσιακή ενέργεια που
περίεργα κοιτάξαμε ένα γύρω, οποιοσδήποτε μπορούσε
λοιπόν σε μια λέξη ή μες στου γείτονα τον κήπο
να βρει το μυστικό της ανθρωπότητας.
Discovery
Yes, we knew it: the traitor always lurked in
the shadow of the half standing wall with his grip
on the revolver’s trigger ready to spread justice
described in the primeval book, logic illogical doomed
to fail and we lived tightly close to anonymity and
to the ancient oaths, given once, when the visitor called us
‘brothers’ and it was as though roses bloomed in the frost
of December, it was like a collective rapture of energy that
we looked around in wonder: one could still discover
the secret of humanity in a word or in the neighbor’s
garden.
Manolis Aligizakis
Canada
Then, what they searched for, what was I guilty of, I, who’s
only crime was that I grew up always chased, where could
one find time, for this I stayed gullible and
I always hugged the cold railing of the bridge.
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Posted in Canada, English, Μετάφραση, Literature, Poetry, Translation
Tagged guilt, ενοχή
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Night
Manolis Aligizakis
Translated from Tasos Livaditis’ “Diaspora”
Discovery
Yes, we knew it: the traitor always lurked in
the shadow of the half standing wall with his grip
on the revolver’s trigger ready to spread justice
described in the primeval book, logic illogical doomed
to fail and we lived tightly close to anonymity and
to the ancient oaths, given once, when the visitor called us
‘brothers’ and it was as though roses bloomed in the frost
of December, it was like a collective rapture of energy that
we looked around in wonder: one could still discover
the secret of humanity in a word or in the neighbor’s
garden.
Manolis Aligizakis
Canada
There is a door in the night that only the blind see,
darkness makes the animals hear better,
and him, staggered, not from being drunk Continue reading
Posted in Canada, English, Μετάφραση, Ποίηση, Literature, Poetry, Translation
Tagged night, tower
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Επίπτωση
Manolis Aligizakis
Discovery
Yes, we knew it: the traitor always lurked in
the shadow of the half standing wall with his grip
on the revolver’s trigger ready to spread justice
described in the primeval book, logic illogical doomed
to fail and we lived tightly close to anonymity and
to the ancient oaths, given once, when the visitor called us
‘brothers’ and it was as though roses bloomed in the frost
of December, it was like a collective rapture of energy that
we looked around in wonder: one could still discover
the secret of humanity in a word or in the neighbor’s
garden.
Manolis Aligizakis
Canada
Όντως ήταν αληθινό και το δεχτήκαμε. Πέθανε
ο Θεός μας. Τον θάψαμε χθές το απόγευμα χωρίς
τραγούδια ή παιάνες, δίχως κλαυθμούς και μοιρολόγια
κι ανάλαφροι ενιώσαμε τίποτα πιο πολύ δεν μας
γαργάλαγε παρά το ύφος της μουντής μέρας ενώ ο φόβος,
θάλεγα, βαθειά μες την καρδιά μας είχε καταχωνιαστεί.
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Posted in Canada, Greek, Λογοτεχνία, Μετάφραση, Ποίηση, translation, Translation
Tagged impact, επίπτωση
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Signs of The Times
N.N. Trakakis
Translated from original by Tasos Leivaditis
And the episodes continued with minor variations, the epidemic advanced,
confused messages, we didn’t know who they had left out,
the saints in fear took refuge in the calendars, scarecrows no longer took off their hats
____when the trains passed by,
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Creation
Tasos Livaditis, ‘Diaspora’
Translation Manolis Aligizakis
Discovery
Yes, we knew it: the traitor always lurked in
the shadow of the half standing wall with his grip
on the revolver’s trigger ready to spread justice
described in the primeval book, logic illogical doomed
to fail and we lived tightly close to anonymity and
to the ancient oaths, given once, when the visitor called us
‘brothers’ and it was as though roses bloomed in the frost
of December, it was like a collective rapture of energy that
we looked around in wonder: one could still discover
the secret of humanity in a word or in the neighbor’s
garden.
Manolis Aligizakis
Canada
Creation
He would sit out in the fields and draw birds
on the soil. But the birds yearned for the sky. Then,
Continue reading
Posted in Canada, English, Greek, Λογοτεχνία, Μετάφραση, Ποίηση, Literature, Poetry, Translation
Tagged creation, δημιουργία
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Secret Gate
Tasos Livaditis, ‘Diaspora’
Translation Manolis Aligizakis
Discovery
Yes, we knew it: the traitor always lurked in
the shadow of the half standing wall with his grip
on the revolver’s trigger ready to spread justice
described in the primeval book, logic illogical doomed
to fail and we lived tightly close to anonymity and
to the ancient oaths, given once, when the visitor called us
‘brothers’ and it was as though roses bloomed in the frost
of December, it was like a collective rapture of energy that
we looked around in wonder: one could still discover
the secret of humanity in a word or in the neighbor’s
garden.
Manolis Aligizakis
Canada
Secret Gate
Wings stirred under the furniture and at the end of the hall
the dark mirror made the children often sick, because they
didn’t want to grow up,
Continue reading
Posted in Canada, English, Greek, Λογοτεχνία, Μετάφραση, Ποίηση, Literature, Poetry, Translation
Tagged gate, πύλη, μυστική, secret
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On a Ray of Winter Light
~George Seferis,
Translation by Manolis Aligizakis
Discovery
Yes, we knew it: the traitor always lurked in
the shadow of the half standing wall with his grip
on the revolver’s trigger ready to spread justice
described in the primeval book, logic illogical doomed
to fail and we lived tightly close to anonymity and
to the ancient oaths, given once, when the visitor called us
‘brothers’ and it was as though roses bloomed in the frost
of December, it was like a collective rapture of energy that
we looked around in wonder: one could still discover
the secret of humanity in a word or in the neighbor’s
garden.
Manolis Aligizakis
Canada
ΟΝ A RAY OF WINTER LIGHT
Some years ago you said
‘Basically I am a matter of light.’
And still today when you lean
on the wide shoulders of sleep
even when they anchor you
to the drowsy breast of pelagos
you search in corners where blackness
has turned thin with no resistance
Continue reading
Flowers of the rock before the green sea
Discovery
Yes, we knew it: the traitor always lurked in
the shadow of the half standing wall with his grip
on the revolver’s trigger ready to spread justice
described in the primeval book, logic illogical doomed
to fail and we lived tightly close to anonymity and
to the ancient oaths, given once, when the visitor called us
‘brothers’ and it was as though roses bloomed in the frost
of December, it was like a collective rapture of energy that
we looked around in wonder: one could still discover
the secret of humanity in a word or in the neighbor’s
garden.
Manolis Aligizakis
Canada
Flowers of the rock before the green sea
with veins that reminded me of other loves
gleaming in the slow drizzle
flowers of the rock, faces
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Posted in Canada, English, Literature, Poetry, translation
Tagged flowers, rocks, sea
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Summer Solstice
Manolis Aligizakis
Canada
Soft island hills
lapping on sea froth
cicadas fire up
their endless arias
come close to me, I beg you,
before me stand
like Hermes naked,
a graceful cypress
tο keep in my eyes for
the long winter days
when we shall be apart
moments I shall
yearn for your warmth.
Come close to me, I beg you
and let me touch your skin
the day fiery,
unbearable like
the body’s conflagration.
Καύσωνας
Λοφίσκοι ομαλοί νησιών,
που κολυμπούν στα κύματα,
αιώνεια και τραγουδούν,
σαν τα τζιτζίκια με τις άριές τους
έλα, έλα κοντά μου, σε παρακαλώ,
στάσου μπροστά μου
σαν Ερμής, γυμνός,
περήφανος σαν κυπαρίσι
να σε κρατήσω μές στα μάτια μου
για τις ατέλειωτες τις ώρες του χειμώνα,
όταν θα ζούμε χώρια,
στιγμές τη ζεστασιά σου
που θα λαχταρώ.
Έλα, έλα κοντά μου, σε εκλιπαρώ,
άσε με να σ’ αγγίξω,
καύσωνας τούτη η μέρα
κι είναι αβάσταχτη σαν
του κορμιού μου το καμίνι.
Μανώλης Αλυγιζάκης
Καναδάς
The birds and the bees
May we catch our breath for now
may we escape of dreams to distant shores,
let shaded laughs among our cries
and all our thoughts we let them find
what it is that they may seek
appearing oh so desperately meek?
Tomorrow, perchance, a coin I’ll thrust
Loula S. Rodopoulos
Mismatched robes
in strategic pose
sculpted from birth
feigning hurt?
Lady, lady please
a drachma for a sandwich,Good Easter.
Infant nursed
empty purse
on carpeted display
destitute path convey.
God bless you lady
a drachma for her milk,Good Easter. Continue reading
The Sixth Day
Τάσος Λειβαδίτης, Εκλεγμένα ποιήματα,
μετάφραση Μανώλη Αλυγιζάκη
Tassos Livaditis, Selected Poems,
translated by Manolis Aligizakis
Soft island hills
lapping on sea froth
cicadas fire up
their endless arias
come close to me, I beg you,
before me stand
like Hermes naked,
a graceful cypress
tο keep in my eyes for
the long winter days
when we shall be apart
moments I shall
yearn for your warmth.
Come close to me, I beg you
and let me touch your skin
the day fiery,
unbearable like
the body’s conflagration.
Καύσωνας
Λοφίσκοι ομαλοί νησιών,
που κολυμπούν στα κύματα,
αιώνεια και τραγουδούν,
σαν τα τζιτζίκια με τις άριές τους
έλα, έλα κοντά μου, σε παρακαλώ,
στάσου μπροστά μου
σαν Ερμής, γυμνός,
περήφανος σαν κυπαρίσι
να σε κρατήσω μές στα μάτια μου
για τις ατέλειωτες τις ώρες του χειμώνα,
όταν θα ζούμε χώρια,
στιγμές τη ζεστασιά σου
που θα λαχταρώ.
Έλα, έλα κοντά μου, σε εκλιπαρώ,
άσε με να σ’ αγγίξω,
καύσωνας τούτη η μέρα
κι είναι αβάσταχτη σαν
του κορμιού μου το καμίνι.
Μανώλης Αλυγιζάκης
Καναδάς
The Sixth Day
It was the sixth day of creation; mother was dressed in black,
she wore her good hat with the veil, “God shouldn’t had done this
to us” she said, at the far end pale workers put together the big
stage of the circus,
“come back home, it’s late”, “which home?” I asked and hugged
the lamp-post of the street,
my young cousin was almost dead, I pushed her behind the closet,
Continue reading
For a Woman
Τάσος Λειβαδίτης, Εκλεγμένα ποιήματα,
μετάφραση Μανώλη Αλυγιζάκη
Tassos Livaditis, Selected Poems,
translated by Manolis Aligizakis
Καύσωνας
Λοφίσκοι ομαλοί νησιών,
που κολυμπούν στα κύματα,
αιώνεια και τραγουδούν,
σαν τα τζιτζίκια με τις άριές τους
έλα, έλα κοντά μου, σε παρακαλώ,
στάσου μπροστά μου
σαν Ερμής, γυμνός,
περήφανος σαν κυπαρίσι
να σε κρατήσω μές στα μάτια μου
για τις ατέλειωτες τις ώρες του χειμώνα,
όταν θα ζούμε χώρια,
στιγμές τη ζεστασιά σου
που θα λαχταρώ.
Έλα, έλα κοντά μου, σε εκλιπαρώ,
άσε με να σ’ αγγίξω,
καύσωνας τούτη η μέρα
κι είναι αβάσταχτη σαν
του κορμιού μου το καμίνι.
Μανώλης Αλυγιζάκης
Καναδάς
For a Woman
Do you remember the nights? To make you laugh I’d walk
over the glass of the night lamp.
“How was it possible?” You asked.
Posted in English, Greek, Λογοτεχνία, Μετάφραση, Ποίηση, Literature, Poetry, translation
Tagged woman, words
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Parthenon Marbles
Who is talking about marbles?
These are not marbles any more.
These are the flesh and blood
Of our forefathers, who fought
For centuries to preserve.
Posted in Canada, English, Literature, Poetry
Tagged democracy, elgin, forefathers, marbles, parthenon
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unearthed
Athens, 2001
4
I stand on waves
of earth – χωμα
nurtured by blood-
-and-bone
of my ancestors
Continue reading
My Sun
to look at water
to look at water
__when I open ( up ) my heart
____~ is to fill it
______with the stillness Continue reading
The Secret
Crimes
Two poems with no title
Two poems by Costas Montis with no title
translated by Iakovos Garivaldis
Καύσωνας
Λοφίσκοι ομαλοί νησιών,
που κολυμπούν στα κύματα,
αιώνεια και τραγουδούν,
σαν τα τζιτζίκια με τις άριές τους
έλα, έλα κοντά μου, σε παρακαλώ,
στάσου μπροστά μου
σαν Ερμής, γυμνός,
περήφανος σαν κυπαρίσι
να σε κρατήσω μές στα μάτια μου
για τις ατέλειωτες τις ώρες του χειμώνα,
όταν θα ζούμε χώρια,
στιγμές τη ζεστασιά σου
που θα λαχταρώ.
Έλα, έλα κοντά μου, σε εκλιπαρώ,
άσε με να σ’ αγγίξω,
καύσωνας τούτη η μέρα
κι είναι αβάσταχτη σαν
του κορμιού μου το καμίνι.
Μανώλης Αλυγιζάκης
Καναδάς
With no title – i
We say: “Just this once, my Lord, and I will ask of nothing more”
And “it” is given and then we seek another.
