"He left at sunrise,"
the voice informs me.
I visualise the harbour
gleaming, paws of the break-
water honeycombed with rays,
Venetian envoys dreaming.
I too have embarked at Piraeus,
watched the keel cleaving
dark waters like silk, seen
ocean and sky separate
into tissues of light, as dawn
tinges the walls of Chanea.
It is the month when potent blossoms
open in the Samaria; dead queens
glide out of the shades to gather them.
Priestesses adorn their breasts with living
pectorals of snakes, and bearing blood-
red lilies, come the girls.
Note: The Great Dragon, "dracunculus vulgaris", is a lily with large, deep crimson spathes, known to the ancients as an aphrodisiac. It appears in spring in the Gorge of Samaria and elsewhere in Crete.
Spring Fete in Crete
© Copyright: Jena Woodhouse, 2003
Свидетельство о публикации №103022300337
Свидетельство о публикации №103022300337
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I really love Greece, and Crete especially. My family almost every summer visit Western Crete, not far from Chania - Colimbari. Your poem is one more sign for me that very soon I'll find myself at this beatiful and tranquil corner of the world. As to your poem, it was a real pleasure for me to read and enjoy it. May be it will be interesting for you to acquaint with my works devoted to Crete written in Russian. You are always welcome!
С уважением,
Саша
Александр Рытов 23.07.2003 13:17 • Заявить о нарушении
С уважением,
Саша
Александр Рытов 23.07.2003 13:17 • Заявить о нарушении
Саша, how lovely to receive this message from someone who is familiar with places that have inspired some of my poems. Chania evokes vivid memories for me, and also Colimbari. I was there a number of times during the ten years I spent in Greece. I remember Crete as a haunting experience of landscape imbued with spirit, as is so much of Greece. So I can imagine how pleasant it must be to contemplate the prospect of spending some time there.
I am enjoying reading your poems very much. I would also like to compliment you on your English, which seems very natural and fluent.
Thank you for your kind words, and I wish you and your family an enjoyable visit to beautiful Kriti!
С уважением,
Jena
Jena Woodhouse 23.07.2003 17:58 Заявить о нарушении
I am enjoying reading your poems very much. I would also like to compliment you on your English, which seems very natural and fluent.
Thank you for your kind words, and I wish you and your family an enjoyable visit to beautiful Kriti!
С уважением,
Jena
Jena Woodhouse 23.07.2003 17:58 Заявить о нарушении