
Poem by Dimitris Liantinis
SHIELD
When the shield of the sun
descended to the careenage of the west
the face of day melted
mummy thrown into the light.
Trees set traps for the birds
where they bury their height
a ship sinks into the soil
and the beasts of the forest
have gone astray to the mountainous
goat paths.
The procurement of the stars reveals
blood in the ravine
that buzzes naked
slashing the skin of water
the flesh of things
can’t find refuge
in basil.
Linos’ skinned body hangs
over the midnight mast