Arid field
The barren field
is flooded by the fire,
seedlings burn like scanty hairs,
earth’s chapped lips
remain silent,
only the trees in the distance
are trembling a few green notes.
ΑΓΟΝΗ ΓΗ
Άγονη γη
ηλιοκαμμένη
σπόροι, σαν αραιά μαλλιά, ξεραίνονται
καθώς της γης
τα σκασμένα χείλη
παραμένουν σιωπηλά
μόνο τα λίγα δέντρα στο βάθος
ψάλλουν μερικούς πράσινους στίχους
Μετάφραση Μανώλη Αλυγιζάκη//Translated by Manolis Aligizakis
Duan Guang, China
Soca
Calligraphic buttocks
sway under sun’s
auspices a bit to the left
a bit to the right down south
up north earthly grooving
sway of Eros stretching a golden
bow and aiming at lascivious
bodies with his arrow dipped
in fiery stark colors of lust
the street bounces in its
eagerness bending to the
soca tune rumbling like thunder
from speakers atop
the passing truck with
young men screaming something
about life being so beautiful
https://www.lulu.com/account/projects/y26q9n https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BKHW4B4S
STONES
Satisfaction
Not that it was promotional, recognizable or exemplary —
the sound of the key in the lock — that sound in the night,
an idea of the shape of the key, its simple mechanism,
and the secret exactness and obedience. Of course it wasn’t
promotional; besides who would you have to promote it to?
The one holding the key was unknown and the door too.
Perhaps the only pride: that we retained that sound
while at the far end of the hall the old-caretaker passed
naked with a white towel covering his head.
https://www.lulu.com/account/projects/w454dzp https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGX139M6
(excerpt)
After a short six month period to orient himself with the new parameters of the Canadian company and after he learned to communicate better in English Anton’s father started earning a full mechanic’s wages which was a good amount of money each month. His father stood six and an half feet up and his wide shoulders filled the small door of their house each time he went in or out. A man of true European style taught Anton his ways and means and with the help of his wife Adina, they raised a sensible and down to earth young man who took after his father and grew high like his old man.
After Anton finished high school and the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver, where he graduated in social studies, he did odd jobs, since he never bothered finding a job in his field as social worker, and under his father’s advice he applied for a position at CP Rail where he stayed for almost two years. Having a steady job he managed to get a bank loan which he used to buy his first vehicle: a black GMC pickup truck which he still drives. Having no inclination to become a CP Rail engineer at the advice of the CP Rail yard foreman and seeing no future working for the railroads he decided to try and find something else. He took a couple of courses via correspondence: an electrical apprenticeship and a plumbing apprenticeship and being a smart and observant guy he hoped to land a job soon.
https://www.lulu.com/account/projects/m24q778 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1926763602
I’M THE GARDEN
I’m a garden where flowers once bloomed
filled with the joyous chirps of birds
with secret whispers and soundless kisses
at night love walked around my shadows.
I’m a garden stuck in the same place
for many years in vain waiting for a return
and instead among the flowers I’ve been buried
in the thorns my nightingales have been silenced
and I’ve been choked by the snakes
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Mini
Put on your mini-skirt
make your eyes impeccable
wear the thin bra to allow
your contours to be seen
by the hunting eyes of men
mascara accentuating your
eyelashes and please don’t forget
when you sit opposite me
in the room full of friends
to open your legs
for just an imperceptible moment
and let me admire
your concealed femininity
I vow I won’t miss it
aren’t my eyes to
be always fixated on
your exquisite topography?
https://www.lulu.com/account/projects/y26q9n https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BKHW4B4S
Manolis Aligizakis 