POEMS OF THE REBELLION BY GEORGE W. DEDEMADIS 1
FOREWARD This collection of poetry was compiled during my university years in Toronto Canada, London England, and Athens Greece between 1995 and 2005. At first it was merely an attempt to make sense of the flood of thoughts that I was experiencing, and to delve into my own soul. At no time was I attempting to be a poet, or to sit and write anything profound. As with every writer, the main object of the effort was to purge myself of the demons that wracked me with tormenting realizations. The poems sort of wrote themselves, and I kept them till I completed the collection presented here. I made it a systematic effort, one that began at York University in Toronto, with the first few meager poems that may, however, have the greatest meaning of them all. Being isolated in Brenthouse Halls of Residence while at Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London, I had the chance to really reach into my inner self and explore what was there, and everything from Across the Ocean («Αληίπεξα ηνπ Ωθεαλνύ») was completed until the unit Triumphant Return Home, which was written entirely in Athens while I was in my second law degree at the University of Athens Law School. By entitling the collection Poems of the Rebellion, I did not want to imply a revolution in the physical world of a political nature, rather, I am aiming at describing a rebellion in the incorporeal world; the world within, the very soul itself. I managed through systematic and aimed effort to change myself for the better and find my alter ego, as I at least would like to believe. In our day there is massive upheaval, both in my home country of Greece and abroad. Many revolutions are taking place, and perhaps we may experience more than one here in the European Union before the decade ends. What I would like people to realize is that no matter which economic and political system we create, no matter which politicians we elect, if we ourselves do not undergo the rebellion within ourselves against inherent human fault and the evil that it creates, then this world is condemned to relive the same repeating cycles of rise and fall. It is up to each of us individually to change the world. Every man and woman counts. Every person must make their own journey into their soul to find that which will set them free from the condemnation of the human condition. Everyone s road is different, and mine most likely is not yours. My poetry is just a roadmap of such a journey that leads to liberation from one s own torments. May it be of assistance to you in finding your way as well, if you have not already done so. I am certain that there are countless people out there far, far ahead of me. I continue my journey forward, with hope that I will find many others to share the way. Happy trails to everyone. 2
POEMS OF THE REBELLION Prologue Poema I The mad hopelessness That characterizes human existence, Overwhelms the senses And blurs reality. Through the fog of what We call human consciousness, Dreams appear To placate the misery. In the eternal struggle, We wrestle ourselves Into the ground; To the embrace of death. There the soul is immortal There the pain dismantles Where this place is We will all discover Poema II On an edge, The motivation lay. To be found, By a final push. The completion Of the task, Lingering near; Awaiting. The decision, Rests within. Not of the conscious, Nor the pragmatic. Will is the nourishment, Of the motivation, That lies alone, Seeking its Master. 3
ΠΟΗΖΜΑΣΑ ΣΖ ΔΞΔΓΔΡΖ Πνίεκα Ι Πξόινγνο Ζ παξάθξσλ απειπηζία Πνπ ραξαθηεξίδεη ηελ αλζξώπηλε ύπαξμε Καηαβάιιεη ηηο αηζζήζεηο Καη ζνιώλεη ηελ πξαγκαηηθόηεηα Μέζα από ηελ νκίριε Πνπ απνθαινύκε ην αλζξώπηλν ζπλεηδεηό, λεηξα εκθαλίδνληαη Να εμεπκελίζνπλ ηελ κηδέξηα. ηνλ αηώλην αγώλα Παιεύνπκε ηνλ εαπηό καο Καηά γεο ηελ αγθαιηά ηνπ ζαλάηνπ Δθεί ε ςπρή είλαη αζάλαηε Δθεί ν πόλνο δηαιύεη Πνπ απηό ην κέξνο είλαη ινη ζα αλαθαιύςνπκε Πνίεκα ΙΙ ε κηα άθξε Σν θίλεηξν θείηνληαλ Να βξεζεί Από ηελ ηειηθή ώζεζε. Ο ηειεησκόο Σνπ έξγνπ Πνπ αησξείηαη θνληά. Αλακέλνληαο. Ζ απόθαζε, Αλαπαύεηαη εζσηεξηθά ρη ηνπ ζπλεηδεηνύ Ούηε ηνπ πξαθηηθνύ Ζ ζέιεζε είλαη ε ηξνθή, Σνπ θηλήηξνπ, Πνπ θείηεηαη κνλάρν Αλαδεηώληαο ηνλ Κύξηό ηνπ 4
On the Plays of Destiny - Act One Love Old Renewed Αγάπε Παιαηά Αλαλεσκέλε) A separation takes place; Without reverence to either Time or Space. An occurrence which immediately Accelerates momentum s pace. An existence of agony ensues, Pain - a lonely man pursues. Driving him to distraction, With life s cruel action. The burden becomes too heavy; The unfortunate very weary. But soon comes the levy, To lift the burden slowly yet steady. The separation is reversed; A new unity is immersed In the endless bounds of Space, While Time returns to its old pace. The Five Year Winter (Ο Πεληαεηήο Υεηκώλαο) On the winter s eve, Misgivings came. Foreboding of a storm; Seeming without end. The snow piled, In layers on a soul; Which prayed for Sun, To emerge and make it free. The cold heart s pulsating, Was not eased by any warmth As it shown upon another s Never forgetting one memory. The winter was destined To end forever. An eternal spring with Only glimpses of a summer In the hereafter. Love lost found again. 5
Πνίεκα Α Τη ζνπ είλαη ινηπόλ, Μηα κέξα ζηνλ ήιην; Δίρσο ηεο κηδέξηαο ηα ζύλλεθα, Να θαηαπνλνύλ ηελ ςπρή. Αιιά, λα Λνηπόλ, Πνπ εθείλε ε κέξα Δελ βάζηαμε. Οη πόλνη θαη νη ιπγκνί, Σζελαξά αθνύζηεθαλ μαλά, Σε θάκπνπο θαη βνπλά, Σε απέξαληα πειάγε. Πνηάλ επηθαινύηαλ ηα παξαθάιηα; Πνηαλήο ύπαξμεο δεηνύζαλ ηελ ζηνξγή; Μηαλ όκνξθε θόξε, Μηαλ αγάπε ιππεηεξή; Δύν ρέξηα απισκέλα, Πξνο ηνλ νπξαλό αλνηγκέλα. Αλακέλνληαο εθείλε - Τελ Νέα. Μα πέξαζε θαη απηή ε κέξα Καη ηα ρέξηα θαηέβεθαλ παξάπιεπξα Τα κάηηα θαξθσκέλα ζηνλ νπξαλό Δαθξπζκέλα, παξαπνλεκέλα. 6
Πεξί Μνίξαο Παηγλίσλ - Πξάμε Δεύηεξε Σθελή Πξώηε Πνίεκα Β Μηζή ε κηδέξηα δηθή κνπ Ζ άιιε κηζή ηνπ θόζκνπ πνπ κνπ ηελ ράξηζε. Έλσζε ηεο ςπρήο κε ηνλ πόλν, Σν κπαιό ζε απόγλσζε. Έξγν δεηά γηα λα εμαιεηθζεί, Μα ζθνπόο δελ ππάξρεη. Καηεύζπλζε ην κπαιό πξνζπαζεί, Μάηαηα λα βξεη. Αγσλία γηα ην άγλσζην Άγρνο γηα ηελ αγσλία, Πόλνο θαη γηα ηα δπν Λύηξσζε αλύπαξθηε. Φσο! Έλαο αγώλαο, Μάηαηνο Θπζηάδνληαη δσέο γηα ην ηίπνηα. 7
Πεξί Μνίξαο Παηγλίσλ Πξάμε Γεύηεξε θελή Γεύηεξε Πνίεκα Γ Πνίεκα Γ Μηα λύρηα μάζηεξε Έξσηαο ζβεζκέλνο από ηα ρξόληα ηνπ γηαινύ ηηο όρζεο, Μηα θιόγα πνπ έθαηγε Σν ξπάθη έξεε ζηγαλά, Αιιάδνληαο πξννπηηθέο, Μέζα από ηα θαιάκηα. Αηζζήκαηα θαη απνθάζεηο. Σν κηζνζθόηαδν Σα πύξηλα θάξβνπλα πνπ είρε αθήζεη Έθξπβε πόζνπο, Δκπόδηδαλ κηαλ άιιε δσή θίαδε έγλνηεο, Ούηε λα γελλεζεί, Αγθάιηαδε ζεξκά. Μήηε λ αλζίζεη. Μηα ύπαξμε, Σα θξύα λεξά δελ ήξζαλ πνηέ Μηα απόγλσζε. Κείλνπο ηνπο πύξνπο λα ζσπάλνπλ. Σα όλεηξα λεθξά, Καη ηα ζσζηθά ζηγόβξαδαλ, Οη θαεκνί ζζελαξνί. Καη ιπγκνύο πξνθαινύζαλ. Φώο - Παξαθάιηα ζηελ Θεά Αλύπαξθην, Λύηξσζε λα ραξίζεη. Λεζκνλεκέλν, Απ ηνλ πόλν ηεο θσηηάο, Άπηαζην. Σα απνκεηλάξηα ηνπ λα ζβήζεη. Οη αλακνλέο ηνλ έδσζαλ, Ζ αγαλάθηεζε θνξπθώζεθε, Οη ειπίδεο έζβεζαλ - Σν Σέινο είρε θηάζεη. Νύρηα ζηελ ακκνπδηά, ηνπ γηαινύ ηηο όρζεο, Ν απαιύλεη ην καξηύξην, Ήιζε ην Σέινο. 8
Πεξί Μνίξαο Παηγλίσλ Πξάμε Σξίηε Πνίεκα Δ Σα δηαηάγκαηα αθνύγνληαη, Από κηαλ απόζηαζε, Άγλσζηε Υσξίο θαηεύζπλζε εζσηεξηθή. Οη Πξάμεηο αθνινπζνύλ, Απξόνπηεο, Αζπλάξηεηεο Φαηλνκεληθά ηνπιάρηζηνλ. Σν όιν αξηζηνύξγεκα Μηαο Οληόηεηαο, Ξέλεο, Πξαγκαηνπνηείηαη. Γίρσο Θέιεζε, Νόεζε, Βνύιεζε, Γηθή καο. 9
Πεξί Μνίξαο Παηγλίσλ Πνίεκα Σ Φαικνί δίρσο λόεζε, Έιενο δεηνύλ. Μηαλ ύπαξμε άδηθε, Μάηηα λα κελ βξνπλ. Άξηεο από αγσλίεο, Αγλαληεύνπλ ςπρή. Μα βηνπάιε γηα ζίηηζε, Καη δηθαηνζύλε δεηνύλ. Γηθαηνινγία γηα ηελ ύπαξμε, Οπζία ζηνλ αγώλα, κα, Δπίγεηα λα δνπλ ην έβαο, σθξνζύλε θάπνπ λα βξνπλ. Απόιεμε πιεζηάδεη Σν θόηνο εδώ ζπρλάδεη. Μα ε Νίθε παίδεη κόλνλ ηνλ ζθνπό Δλόο Θενύ. Αξεηή Μηαλ θαη κόλνλ πνξεία Χο θαη ηελ βξήθακε, Παξάκεξα πεηακέλε. ΦΧ! Δθεί ζα ην βξνύκε, Βαζεηά κέζα καο αλ κπνύκε, Ζ Αξεηή ην όπιν ηνπ Γηθαίνπ. ΔΛΠΗ ππάξρεη, Σελ ΕΖΣΑ θαλείο; 10
ΠΔΡΗ ΜΟΗΡΑ ΠΑΗΓΝΗΧΝ Μηα δπζηπρία Απόκεξε κηδέξηα Έθακε παξαπέξα Άγλσζηε αηηία Γίρσο έκπλεπζε εμσηεξηθή Υαξά θακία αιεζηλή Δθηόο από πξνζδνθία Γη αλεύξεζεο απηήο Πξνθεηείεο απηό-εθπιήξσηεο Δπηζπκίεο αλέθθξαζηεο Θειήκαηα αλεξρόκελα Εσήο πξνζδνθώκελα Απηνπεπνίζεζε άιιεο επνρήο Έπνο άγξαθν ζε αλέγγηρηεο ζειίδεο Αλακνλή ησλ γεγνλόησλ Άθημε ηνπ πξαγκαηνπνηεηή Αγσλία παξακεξηζκέλε ην βσκό ζπζηαζκέλε Μηαο λέαο Σόικεο, Αεξάηεο Αξεηήο Ληκαλάθη θόλην βνπλά Αξάδεη ε πνξεία Σεο ςπρήο ηα θελά Γεκίδνπλ κε αζηεία Δπηκνλή ζε κία ηδέα Απνγεηώλεηαη ε ειπίδα Θέιεζε ηεο νινθιήξσζεο Δλόο νλείξνπ - Δλόο ζρεδίνπ Άπηαζηνπ Γίρσο πξνκειέηε Χο ζήκεξα. Έλα όλεηξν ηξνπνπνηεκέλν Ρηδώλεη ην όλεηξν Αλεπαλάιεπηα, αλειέεηα Μεηαιιαγκέλν, ήπην Γηραζκέλν δώληαο Δθθξάδνληαο ζησπειά Γπν πνξείεο Πνξεία κηα Γξόκν ραξάδεη κνλάρν Υαξαθηήξα κνλαδηθό δεκηνπξγώληαο Εσή απνθηώληαο Σσξηλή θπβεξλώληαο Υαξάδεη ζηεξλά Βαζηά ζηελ θαξδηά Μηα δσή δπλαηή Με πιώξε ηελ επηπρία 11
Αληηιαιεί θάπνπ ζηελ απόζηαζε Σεο ζέιεζεο θαη ηεο ππγκήο Μηαλ ειπίδα ζθνηεηλή Υξώκα λύρηαο ζεξηλήο θνηεηλή γηαηί δελ μέξεη Πσο θαη πνπ λα δηαβεί Έλα πεξίπαην ζηνλ ήιην Υσξίο λα θσηηζηεί Αλαιακπή ζην ζθνηάδη αλ ζπίξην αλάβεη Μεηά ζηγνζβήλεη Γπξίδεη ζην ζθνηάδη Πξνζπάζεηα αλαδσπύξσζεο Μάηαηε θπζηθά Αηζηόδνμε ζηελ νπζία Μα λίθε πνπζελά Σν ζθνηάδη όκσο ζεξκό Εεζηή ε αγθαιηά ηνπ αλ θαιύβη θησρηθό Γίρσο ηελ θσηηά ηνπ Θεξκόηεηα εζσηεξηθή Κακία αλάγθε επηπιένλ Γηα θσηηέο μέλεο Απ αιινύ θεξκέλεο θόηνο αγθαιηά Ήξεκε κνλαμηά Θέιεζε εζσηεξηθή Εσή κε ππγκή 12
Upon a starlight sky wishing For another sort of achievement Unbounded hope glimmering Trace of bereavement The night unleashes schemes Glory manifested dreams Conspiring in complete dark Attempting an internal spark Airborne is the desire To reach new heights, To reach ever higher, Knight of Nights. Dusk approaches near The day brings new fear Routine rears its head To the Knight s dread Plans of conquest subside Own desire to deride Hopes unfounded overwhelming Of magic realms telling Chivalry dies with daybreak The Knight begins to quake That routine again will take All dreamt glory in its wake Knight of Nights 13
Ideal Persona A face in the crowd Unknown yet familiar Pondering why Have any interest Approach the persona Extend a hand - Touch, Realization of misconception Disappointment ensues Descending heavily On the accused Of familiar impropriety Vows never to repeat The same embarrassment Similar disillusionment Creation of false hope Yet time erases Ill will from the heart And a wind of hope Unleashes itself anew New ideals created Perhaps some old retained Then unknown yet familiar Another face in the crowd Perspective Perhaps it could be termed perspective The desire to be introspective Stemming from the necessity Of one s self dignity A dignity non-distinguished From the ordinary The drudge Thrust on all By whom is not a topic Rather a simple reality Of all for one And one for all Thus the promotion of dire By one and all To the benefit of none Save some Reaction maybe But for what To whom All for naught? History rolls forward The same wheels carrying The same story Rewritten Under it again In this life With no others to mention Bearing What is left To strive for, Die for, Hope. 14
Single Heart Alone A single heart alone Beats slowly to a tone By itself created Alone the beat perpetuated It fears the tempo to stop To quicken the beat to a hop A heart that dreams Wishful thinking in streams It ponders a while The essence of its trial The meaning of beating Without other hearts seeking It shrugs and continues Considers no other venues Seeking no other hearts Nor the heart of hearts So a single heart alone Sighs something of a moan Refusing to seek The unseeking 15
The search becomes wearisome When conducted far from home In a land estranged Life otherwise arranged Life continued on hope Hope of what is known In the hearts recesses to cope With harsh waiting alone. What then is known? A familiar hearth Warm and giving Surrounded by those Who only in dreams appear It is very clear What to the heart is dear The warmth not of the hearth But the love of those Who care to find more in return Unconditional love of one By one unconditional love The hearth is always near Its heat to lend The caring to tend For love creates what dreams Only strive to pretend. To the Heart Dear 16
Dreamt Reality Pondering a response To an inquiry of own Alone to answer for Alone to question For who but one resides Inside one s self Climbing thoughts Of ones own mind Reality thus relative Blurring into dreams Thoughts thought imperative Turn to sand streams A desire to awaken From conscious hours For a dreamt reality Cannot be real Continue to dream It is less painful Fuller of joy Rather than grief Brief encounters With others That know not Of wonders within one Disappointment to see That they cannot Yet dreaming one day They will 17
θέςε Σνικεξή Μηα ζθέςε ηνικεξή Μόλε θη απηή ε κηα θνπξηνύλα Σνπ κπαινύ θαηαζθεπή Μειεηά κηα πηζαλόηεηα Απίζηεπηε θη όκσο Δθηθηή, έηζη Γηα αιιαγή Ση λα λαη άξαγε Δπηζπκία νξκεηηθή, Ή ιύζε ελαιιαθηηθή; Σίπνηε από απηά Λύζεηο ζε απηόλ ηνλ θόζκν Λίγεο Δπηζπκίεο ππάξρνπλ, Κη από ρηεο. θέςε ηνικεξή Γηαηί, Γελ έρεη λα θάλεη Με ηίπνηε από απηά Ση λα λαη ινηπόλ Καηαζθεπή κπαινύ, Όζηεξα από θνπξηνύλα ζθέςεο; Απόιπηε εξεκία. 18
Silent Silhouette A silent silhouette Standing in the shades Beckoning slowly Smiling softly So the dream begins Gloriously subtle Growing as dawn Lighting the desolate The silence expands To an opus grand So strong in form That trees waver Beckoning gently To a dusted man Scars and scrapes full From the journey there A floating approach As dreams do convey The wandering home Wavering as they may The silhouette retreats Ever so softly and slowly Arm extended to the arrived Into the shadows melting Another arm extends The journeyer reaches Grasps but misses Alone in dreamt shadows left. 19
Rage of Just A ruined landscape barren Scattered with lost hope Glory gone with defeat Victory wanted waiting The scabbard lie gaping The sword amiss it seeks A shield shamed cries A soul weak from defeat The battle over and done Much lost and nothing won Speculation of the survivor Necessity was it that won? A proud anger brews Below the brow of one Gazes he at the glory gone Swears that it is not done A sword amiss found again A shamed shield raised A wounded soul fueled By the Rage of Just Continue on one must War not being but one battle The fight just begun Over when the War is Won. 20
αξθαζκόο Αιαδνληθόο Αιαδνλεία αλεπηζύκεηε Ξππλά αλύπνπηα Βαζεηά ζηελ θαξδηά Ρηδώλεη μαθληθά Όβξηο μεθηλά Λόγηα εηξσληθά Φξέλα αλεπηζύκεηα Δθθξάδνληαη επγεληθά Αλέρεηα άιισλ Γλσζηηθώλ δήζελ Αεξνιόγσλ ινγίσλ Μελύκαηα κεδακηλά αξθαζκόο ζηάδεη Παληνύ ζηα ρείιε Πήδεη γνξγά ηνλ αλύπνπησλ η απηηά Αθνύεη θαλείο πηα; Μα όρη θπζηθά Σα ιόγηα πηα δξαζθειίδνπλ Σεξάζηηα άερα βνπλά Από κεραλήο Θεόο Αρξείαζηνο θαηαληά ηαλ νη άλζξσπνη Γξνπλ ινγηθά 21
The Tear of Sorrows A tear forms then rolls Rolling and reflecting A thousand or so sorrows For sadness is clear Clear like a pure pool Untouched and clean Wanting no other Company it to keep. The tear its trip continues Rolling relentlessly rolling Taking with it away A thousand or so sorrows Tired grows the tear As had the fomenting soul From such a burden Heavy with sadness belayed It reaches an edge Can carry its weight no longer Hesitates then starts Dropping a distance unknown With it the tear Wrenches away Perhaps not sadness all But a thousand or so sorrows. 22
Sweet Conspiracy An animated glance around Joy does in the eyes abound Wonders the man spies Glaring at clear blue skies Stops for a moment and ponders What is the cause of these wonders Grins at the obvious answer Springs up like a strong dancer Not for the thought an inquiry Nor for logic a question For this is the hearts query Of the soul a main bastion How to explain the concurrence Of dazzling phenomena congruence Neither Art nor Science stands very steady When for happiness the heart stands ready A sweet conspiracy unwinds Removes from the eyes those blinds Which make life seem dreary Making the soul feel weary Light dances on the ground Rhythm need not be found The conspiracy a tempo created Hope on sunrays animated Deus ex machina unseen What is to come not already been Sweet moments not of past Core happiness at last 23
A will a wish a want All for something rather than naught In a strong emotion caught With a mighty surge fraught Not to be stopped nor stalled From deep within one been called A long time hidden waiting Time to begin creating A world of wonders and laughter Turning to a new brighter chapter A destiny harked loudly calls Destroying old fettering walls The crafters slowly mold A story yet untold Not of treasures and gold Rather glory from days of old Chivalry and cunning combat Daring and bravery at that Quest for the high adventure Fighting against lifelong indenture Freedom from the dreary doom The eternal foe named boredom That envelops all in its dark gloom Freedom fought for with a loud boom Will Wish and Want Sword and soul mingle softly Creating the weapon of victors A will a wish a want needed mostly The quest to complete of the crafting actors 24
Γέιην Αηώλην Έλα γέιην αβάζηαρην Δγθάξδην ηξνκεξό Αληηιαιεί απαξάιιαρην Μ έλα ήρν θνβεξό Από επνρέο πεξαζκέλεο Αησλίσο παίδεη ζη απηηά Από κάρεο θεξδηζκέλεο Υαξάο ιαθύξσλ βξνληή Υαζεί είρε ην γέιην απηό Από θάζε θάκπν θαη ςειό βνπλό Λπγκνί αληηθαηέζηεζαλ ην Κιείλνληαο έηζη έλα θελό Υξόληα πέξαζαλ θαηξνί θαηλνύξγηνη Μα ην γέιην πνπζελά δελ θαηλόηαλ Υαίξνληαλ θαθνί παλνύξγνη Διπίδα λέα ζηγά-ζηγά βξηζθόηαλ Μηαο κέξα ιακπξήο θαη λέαο Άζηξαςαλ ηεο κνίξαο νη θισζηέο Έθακαλ πέξα ακθηβνιίεο ηεο θαίαο Γέιην ηξνκεξό επέζηξεςε κε βξνληέο Ρίδσζε ηώξα ε ζπίζα Πνπ ζην ιάδη βάδεη θσηηά Λέεη ην γέιην ηώξα ήιζα Καη ηώξα δελ θεύγσ μαλά Με θάζε αηηία θαη αθνξκή Κάλεη ε θιόγα αλαιακπή Αληηιαιεί καθξηά θαη ηξνκεξά Γέιην αηώλην αθνύγεηαη βξνληεξά 25
A strong sign of weakness lurks Against a hint of madness that quirks Below the brow of the discontent Awaiting to explode at the next event The next instance of malady The next show of insanity The next glimmer of distress A harsh display of societal duress A will alone may prevail Victory its sword raised to hail Against adversity the terrible foe Anxiety itself alone to woe Fear no longer becomes an issue When there is no foe to sue Unseen he lurks in the dark With your soul as his mark Will Alone Prevailing Alone you stand drenched with waiting Against your fear an anxiety frustrating Alone a will you raise to strike A will like a sword brought down with might The will to live without fear The day of victory draws near The sword to be raised Eyes with determination glazed The sword slices through thick air A shrieking sound it makes fair It finds against nothing there Against your own fear do not despair 26
Dream the dreams of night Revel in their delight For dawn will take all away To the awakened s vast dismay Realms with castles and knights Fair maidens and such delights Reasons for one to live Nor a real care to give These wonders good as they sound Do not as tangible resound A rising sun all may disperse What all night took to immerse A knight that awakens armourless Often finds himself cheerless No realm to defend nor maiden to save Daylight brings to him plight grave A quest anew must be discovered An everyday task thus uncovered Like defending a castle besieged Or a maiden saving the heroic deed A Modern Quest An ordinary task done with honour A modern quest undertook with valour To save a maiden from distress To stand in one s castle with banners address Perhaps it would not have to be much A quest involving the above and such A mere smile to the maiden lent Would be how a modern quest went 27
Έλαο αθξίηαο ληόο ραξσπόο Καβάια ζη άηη ηξέρεη Ξάθλνπ γίλεηαη όιν ρισκόο Κάηη ηνπ ζπληπραίλεη Αθξίηαο Νηόο Υαξσπόο Επγηάδεη ηα ραιηλάξηα Βαζηά ηα γεξά Γώδεθα παιηθάξηα Εώλνπλ ηνλ θνληά Πεξηηξηγπξίδνπλ ηνλ ληό ιν θαη πην θνληά ζηκώλνπλ Υηππάλε έλαο θ έλαο δπν Σν άηη πιεγώλνπλ Πέθηεη ν αθξίηαο θαηά γεο Παηά θαη ζηξέθεη γνξγά Πέθηνπλ δπν θαη άιινη ηξείο Σνπο ραιά νύινπο ζθιεξά Σν άηη γηάλεη από θαηξό κεηά ια είλαη όπσο ήηαλ μαλά Ο αθξίηαο κεγαιώλεη θαη δέλεη Ζ δσή ηνπ όιν θαη αθξηβαίλεη Πεξλά κηα δσή νιάθεξε ζαλ αζηξαπή αλ ρηεο ράιαζε ηνπο δώδεθα Θπκάηαη ην άηη λα πέθηεη κε βξνληή Καη πσο ηόηε ήηαλ κόλνλ ρξόλσλ έληεθα Έληεθα ε ώξα ιέεη ην ξνιόη Πνπ ηνλ ληό κεγαισκέλν μππλά πλνκσζία θάκαλε κέξα θαη λύρηα ζαλ ζόη ηελ πξαγκαηηθόηεηα ηνλ ληό λα θέξνπλ μαλά 28
A fire burns ever complacently At the stone surrounded hearth Two souls lie adjacently Resting on hard warm earth Sparks rise skywards softly Cedar cackles smoking loftily The fire woos and waves The stone drawing them to its enclaves The two no longer separate One they become solid A world no longer disparate Joined souls know nothing morbid A union of the mind not matter The body a romance needn t flatter A higher love of one kind Difficult though it is to find A knowing and unspoken agreement That knows no earthly bereavement Two souls together in concord Split by neither word not sword A love as such is everlasting Neither need for food nor fasting A bond like this is solidly weld Forever by two souls strongly held Union of Souls The fire flickers and rises Creating shadows in many guises A union of souls nothing does fear While one to another hearts remain dear 29
A brick wall lightly decorated From excess altogether emancipated Brick patterns all around A round hearth they surround A circle in which a fire burns In the heart a warmth it churns The bricks themselves begin to smile Avoiding joy would be denial The window loosely stands open Smells of jasmine fill a spring air Concern is now only a token When things are oh so fair A potion over the fire being brewed Only a good purpose being construed The herbs and spices together mix A magic drink slowly to fix The magic not of the potion Nor of any mystical notion A magic of the heart alone Love like a fire of burning stone Care and affection the potion make With curing the loved soul at stake The hands that stir the brew Care only as do precious few A cure of the everyday malady Not of some dire tragedy A magic potion followed by a kiss Renders to the heart nothing amiss Burning Stone Fire 30
Πηθξά Αλακνλή Έλαο ινθίζθνο κνλαρόο Πύξγνο νιάθεξνο ζσζηόο Έλα θησρηθό ζηελ θνξπθή Καξδηά κηθξή θξαηά θξπθή Έλα θσο ζηελ πόξηα Πέθηεη ζε άγξηα ρόξηα Με ηδηόηεηα καγηθή Διαθξά, ςπρήο κνπζηθή Άγξηα βιαζηάξηα ζθόξπηα Πεξηκέλνπλ θάπνηνλ αθέληε Να ξζε κπξνο ηνπ όξζηα Να ηνλ θάλνπλ δπλαηό ιεβέληε Πξνβαίλεη έλαο ιηγλόο ηελ πόξηα θνληνζηέθεη Ρίρλεη ζηα ρόξηα ην Φσο Με ζνπγηά ηα πεξηζπιιέγεη Αρλά ηα παξάζπξα ζακπά Κόβεη ηα ρόξηα κε ζνπγηά Πιέλεη ζην λεξό πνπ βξάδεη ιν ην δνπκί ηνπο βγάδεη Πίλεη ηνλ πηθξό ρπκό θνππίδεη πηγνύλη θαη ιαηκό Πεηάεη ην ζνπγηά πέξα Σειείσζε ε δνπιεηά ηνύηε ηελ εζπέξα Παξακνλή ζην ινθίζθν κνλαρηθό Έλαο ληόο ςάρλεη εδηθόλ ηνπ εαπηό Σα ρόξηα άγξηα κηαο δσήο Πηθξά αλακνλή άιιεο ζαιπσξήο 31
Unbound Dreams A misty image forms Of unbound dreams Of other worlds warns Flowing in streams Potent is the image Stronger than hard drink Reality an appendage In illusion to sink It rides like a wild mare Charging past sobriety Into an oblivion stare Alleviates all anxiety Wishes pile as sand Amounting to large dunes Creating another land Singing a siren s tunes One by one the grains Dissolve like sugar in water Although made with great pains Dreams like lamb to the slaughter Decimated dreams asunder Leave only stupefied wonder Glory imagined thus destroyed A dreamer left heavily annoyed Upset at the prospect Left only to suspect Reality to grow let Better than dreams yet 32
A reality not manufactured Of unwanted inevitable pieces Full of wishes fractured Accepting all that destiny releases Destiny is composed twofold - The aspect of self-creation, And the eternal story told, Compose a harmonious relation. Denying one awaiting the other, Is a fault too dearly paid. As destiny is history s mother, Alone determination is made. Reaching within to release A force that alters reality Destiny together to piece A life in proper totality What fuels this force alone, Are images of perfect dreams. Not making the heart as stone, Only loving life in rushing streams. Sewing together the pattern From streams of dreams woven Creating thus a strong urn To drink life as one has chosen Destiny and determination together, Create something lasting forever. One without the other hasn t satisfaction. Chance must be complemented by action. Destiny and Determination 33
What gives the will to act, Must it be tangible fact? Or only a whimsical thought? Nothing more than naught? A frozen moment in time - The decision or not to mime, Hundreds of actions before. Or then to create a new lore. Alternatives branch stretching out To do with is or that without Is chance the only player, Luck left as only prayer? Control of the entirety not clear. As the decisive moment is near - Own belief and will exhibited; Or are these things prohibited? At every choice is will present, Every action done with own consent? Or do circumstances like a river rush, Belief and choice both to crush? Perhaps the river can be placid, Not becoming still and rancid. But slowing enough to give one time, To decide whether or not to mime. Sometimes the river rushes At time will and belief it crushes Sometimes the river placates Choice then one creates More Than Naught 34
ΠΔΡΗ ΜΟΗΡΑ ΠΑΗΓΝΗΧΝ ΔΝ ΑΘΖΝΑΗ Α Artisans Of Action Fair A chance lay open briefly It stands ready to expire Given to one alone chiefly To fill a wanting desire It waits not for speculation Seeing this with indignation Demanding immediate action Not pondering a possibilities fraction Action then it asks at once Balanced and aimed well Not to act as a dunce But having art to tell Artful and meritful concert To create a masterpiece A rightful stake in the chance to assert Staking the claim of a golden fleece Every word weighed Each movement laid With exact precision With determined decision This all done within seconds Without waiting or waffling The chance only then reckons The artist deserves victory s adornings For chance knows many contestants Passes over unworthy dilettantes Stolen only out of the air By Artisans Action s Fair. Invasion of Vision A vision is seen Alone in the sun Desire for all that s been A heart s contest to be won An approach ever so subtle Fetters of action to scuttle Propelled by an unstopping momentum Falling disbelief at its autumn A hand extended gently To grasp another s dreams A smile lent so friendly Only full of warmth it seems Hidden beneath the warmth Lies a fire fully burning A desire springs forth Spirits so strongly churning The vision taken aback From the passionate attack Surprised by the raging fire That kindles its own desire Basking then in the heat Enjoying the heartful treat Not knowing of refusal to return Not allowing two hearts to yearn A vision welcoming invasion Falling to burning persuasion Wanting the ensuing occupation Submitting for the hearts duration 35
ηόρνο Δππνίεηνο Κιείλεη ηα κάηηα Γηαηξεηά λα δεη ηείλεη Αλήκπνξα ηα βιέκκαηα Κνηηνύλ κε ζεβαζκό On the Plays of Destiny Sui Generis Pax - Return to London Έρνληαο έιζεη καθξηά Από άιινπο καθξηλνύο ηόπνπο θηέο γπξλνύλ ζηγαλά Πηιαηεύνπλ άζεια θαη κε Νέα κέξα άιινο ήιηνο Αλαηέιιεη αξγά ηγά-ζηγά αλ λα κελ ην ζειε Αξγή πνξεία πξνο ηα πάλσ Κνηηώληαο πίζσ ηξνκνθξαηεκέλα Κξαηώληαο θξπθά ζηελ θαξδηά Πόζνπο αδεκίσηνπο γελόκελνη Βγαίλνπλ, βγαίλνπλ αλαιακπέο ην ζθόηνο κέζα Γίλνληαη έλα ππξνηέρλεκα Πνπ δελ βιέπεη θαλείο Μάηηα ζην θσο Μόλνο ζθνπόο Μηα επηπρία ίγνπξε πνξεία Πνξεία δύζθνιε, θνπξαζηηθή Δμνλησηηθή, κέξεο-κέξεο Ζ ςπρή πάεη λα βγεη Απνθεύγεηαη ε θαηαπνληή Σίγνπξα ρέξηα πηάλνπλ Μηα κνίξα δίρσο ηέινο Τέινο λα δώζνπλ νξηζηηθά Σηόρν εππνίεην 36
Αλειέεηε ηξάηα Έλα ηαμίδη ηειεηώλεη Μηα αξρή μεκεξώλεη Απξόζκελεο θαθνηπρίεο Απνζθεπέο επηπρίεο Δξσηήκαηα αλαπάληεηα Θιίςε, επθαηξίεο Γπζάξεζηεο ζπλζήθεο Ζ κνίξα δεκηνπξγεί Μνλαμηά μαθληθή Γίρσο πξνεηδνπνίεζε Αζύκθνξα αηζζήκαηα Καηαζηαιάδνπλ πηθξά ρη όκσο παξάδνζε Σσλ ειπίδσλ άκεζα Θέιεζε ζπλέρηζεο Μάηαηνπ αγώλα Αγώλα ζπλερόκελνπ Γίρσο αλαζηνιή Απνζηνιή δπζκελή Σν ήιην λα δεη Βήκα-βήκα κπξνζηά ε κηα επηπρία Πνξεία μεθηλά Γίρσο πηζσγπξίζκαηα Αλειέεηε ζηξάηα ηελ νδό Υακέλσλ Βξίζθνληαο μαλά Δαπηόλ αλαλεσκέλνλ 37
Dawning Clarity A clarity that dawns Quietly upon consciousness Slowly it yawns Escaping now tiredness Light illuminates piercingly A reality not often seen Eyes glance convincingly What for long has not been Solid is now the distant Close to the world brought An hour no longer an instant Nor the entire world a thought The air tastes now sweet Ordinary senses become a treat Crisp is the dawn anew As a cherry with morning dew A stride now sure Thoughts more pure Awakened at last No longer in the past Striving to maintain Stopping past disdain A world no longer muddled Intent not at all befuddled Clarity then dawning anew Lending itself but to few A striving that never ends Reality and senses making amends 38
A word is given without thought To a familiar ear closeby Given as if all for naught No aim in particular to try It lands upon the mind Though spoken softly As a jeer of some kind Deriding oh so mostly The mind reels and takes measure To retaliate the assault of ego It summons up an evil treasure Affront of past to launch An assail hits the thoughtless Unexpected though it was An ego now wounded An affront of a cut Distraught Ear Standing and staring at the listener enraged The thoughtless one wonders Was it something I did Or simply a thing I said With head lowered and tail tucked A thoughtless one now pondering Wanders off into the distance To a more thoughtful place A word without the form of a jeer May nonetheless fall heavily upon the ear Although it could be not the words fault Simply that the ear was heavily distraught 39
Destiny Corporeal An image repeating again Itself endlessly It churns through the mind Becoming clear and vivid Unchained it spirals upward Spinning as it does Euphoria in a dream Nothing it surrenders Rising and spinning A delirium animated Alive almost it seems Yet only a dream remains Reality cannot match A perfect imagination Unbound by the corporeal Knows no bounds Uncomfortable it is To belong to the unreal As something never born Of this world not a part Yet the image persists Beckoning Pleading To enter reality Animate corporeal destiny A perfect image yearns Through slow persistent action To materialize into the world 40