BOLIVAR, A Greek poem

by Nikos Engonopoulos

Reading by Ioannis Melissanidis

Directed by Elpida Skoufalou

Sound editting by Nikos Dionyssopoulos

 

In collaboration with Histrorical and Ethonological Society of Greece

 

Under the Auspices of Municipality of Hydra

In cooperation with the Hydra Arts Lab of Common Benefit Enterprice of Hydra Municipality

 

Free admission

 

 

 

BOLIVÁR, A Greek Poem

 

THEY SAW AN APPARITION OF THESEUS IN ARMS, RUSHING

ON AT THE HEAD OF THEM AGAINST THE BARBARIANS

 

Le cuer d’un home vaut tout l’or d’un pais

 

For the great, the free, the brave, the strong,

   The fitting words are great and free and brave and strong,

For them, the total subjection of every element, silence, for

   them tears, for them beacons, and olive branches, and the lanterns

That bob up and down with the swaying of the ships and scrawl

   on the harbours’ dark horizons,

   For them are the empty barrels piled up in the narrowest lane,

again of the harbor,

For them the coils of white rope, the chains, the anchors, the

other manometers,

Amidst the irritating smell of petroleum,

That they might fit out a ship, put to sea and depart,

Like a tram setting off, empty and ablaze with light, in the

   nocturnal serenity of the gardens,

With one purpose behind the voyage: ad astra.

 

(extract)

 
© Translation: 1996-1997, David Connolly