Poem by Odysseus Elytis
AXION ESTI — THE PASSION
B
They gave me the language of the Hellenes;
a humble house on the shores of Homer.
My only concern my language on the shores of Homer.
Two-branded breams there and perches
wind blasted verbs
green currents mixed with the azure
which I saw aflame in my viscera
sponges, jellyfish
with the first words of the Sirens
rosy shells with the first black shivers.
My only concern my language with the first black shivers.
Pomegranates there, quinces
gods with dark complexion, uncles and cousins
pouring olive oil in the huge storage jars
and fragrance from the ravine sweet smelling
osier and bulrush
broom and ginger root
with the first chirpings of the finches,
sweet psalmodies with the very first Glory to You.
My only concern my language, with the very first Glory to You.
Laurels there and palm branches
censer and incense burning
blessing the sabers and the muzzleloaders.
On the ground spread with vine leaves
smell of burnt meat, eggs cracking
and Christ is Risen
with the first firings of the Hellenes.
Secret loves with the first words of the Hymn.
My only concern my language, with the first words of the Hymn.
Manolis Aligizakis 