II
As shadows elongate bringing
inspiration to the poet’s stanzas
and the nimble movement of
the sparrow marks a feather
the pair marches to the decapitated
oak’s tallest branch.
With their sacred offering
life repents for a sinful deed.
The frozen north wind,
fearsome and forever lonely,
never unjustifiably angry,
groans as a colossal iceberg
and cracks a faint smile
all his thirty-two teeth agree
and shine in the gleaming
moonlit evening as he
pleasurably accepts
the sacred offering.
All the wind stands still and
in attention when they are
advised to dutifully go back
to their perennial task.
Manolis Aligizakis 