The Illness of Kleitos
Kleitos, a likeable young man,
about twenty-three years old
with excellent upbringing, with rare Greek knowledge
is very sick. The fever found him
that has decimated Alexandria this year.
The fever found him when he was morally exhausted
by sorrow because his lover, a young actor,
had stopped loving him or wanting him.
He is very sick, and his parents tremble.
And an old servant who raised him
also trembles for the life of Kleitos.
In her terrible worry,
she recalls an idol,
an idol she worshipped when she was young,
before she became a servant in this house,
in the house of distinguished Christians and became a Christian.
She secretly takes some pancakes, wine and honey.
She places them in front of the idol. Whatever part
of the prayer she remembers, she chants; ends and middles.
The fool does not understand that the Devil won’t care
whether or not a Christian heals.
Manolis Aligizakis 