Friezes of Dreams

LOUSIKON

(Peloponnesus)

Artemis, Mother of the Wild Things,

chose you long ago.

Where you stand,

perched on the rocks,

the shepherds feel at home.

Your thistle feeds the donkey,

king of your crags,

and honeycomb sweetens

the tired laborer.

All in a circle, the women clad in black,

like an ancient chorus

break out in lamentations

when death descends

and lips are sealed for ever.

In the icy springs

that well up in your caves

the slow desire of flesh begins

oozing in the hearts

of men and goats alike.

At dusk, a shiver runs

through olive trees

and the bumblebee ceases to fan

the bitter smell of laurel leaves.

Only the moon belongs to you.

SEA AND SKY

Clouds pregnant with rain cast spells over the waves

Breakers crash on wildly scalloped coasts

And seagulls watch where pirates used to plunder…

Sailing ships and ancient vessels,

Ghosts from other times, from distant shores

Sway and rise above the frothy waters.

Currents flow and trade winds blow

The oceans’s depths pulsate and team with life

Soon mermaids will rise above the waves

And their song will tempt the brave Ulysses

Till his weary heart will beat with pain and longing…

The clouds and hanging low and lower still

Now the wind begins to shriek, a squall is raging…

Pray to Poseidon

Perhaps the sea will change its fearful song.

The winds abate, the clouds begin to part

A hand of peace subdues the mighty waves,

The prudent seagulls watch with blinking eyes

A flaming sun descend to other worlds

As night prepares a wistful lullaby.