Lethargy
Upright they stand: trees and rocks
whims of faint air coming
almost unintentionally amid
leaves loosened to desirous move
sea wishing expansion
to the other side of the globe
where they built tall ships
sea’s message to them:
STOP sending men over here
we don’t need your civilized ways
wisdom of our fathers is enough
STOP coming with your
loaded guns
Secret Transportation
With difficulty, they carried the stretcher inside. They closed
the door. One of the woman’s shoes was left by the front step,
outside. On the road, the others waited for someone to open
the upstairs window, perhaps the servant with the wart
or the female nurse, who would pour out a glass of water
or throw away a glass vile or ask for that shoe. Nothing. Night
came. They turned the light on inside. The window was lit
a little. Then the wide shadow of a stooping back closed the
windows. The others, down below, left noiselessly through
the neighbourhood side streets.
Manolis Aligizakis 