History doesn't teach
not even the mistakes of History
only consciousness can teach
To carry all the blood the cry the mourning
and with footsteps of time
from Ipsilanti and Androutsos and the anonymous
So that they kneel before you those
who loved you deeply
who betrayed you
who glorified you while you were tortured
So you can stand upright ageless and sullen
your youth renovated like an eagle's by
the oaths of the dead
And the Great Day blossoming with Jasmine
Basil and marjoram from Despo's garden
And Time upright beside you
to salute your march from the deep
darkness of slavery
And Papaflessa's charge like raging
wind to bring the cry of the Mother
carrying her newborn dead still on her nipple
and the wailing, Oh, the wailing of the eagles
Bring all these and silence so much silence
so they can be heard!
Because we've had enough of festivities.
And don't ask, Oh, don't ask about the brave ones
those who sacrificed their life
And those who were stabbed on the back
Only the oaths remember
- so they can feel pain, Oh, to feel the pain!
And after, embrace them with affection
speak of them again of love and oaths
that have no price
they will understand.
As for the scene - bring the nights
with those standing guard in the alleys
children laying dead in the backstreets
Bring some of your rivers
with their waters risen against oblivion
to quench the thirst of the hunted
Bring the galloping from the horsemen
the moment they charged like freedom
so that the sound will be alive
for this Holy Day that rises.
Bring the sleepless Souls
with the blood on their hands still alive - never
will the blood of the martyr die
Bring some visions that were never realised
dreams that became darkness and wound
and with all your memories in your arms
with those abandoned expectations
And with Kapodistrias holding the sign - blood
flowing between his bitter eyes:
"Hellas: 2021!"
And don't ask, oh, don't ask - who
let the blood flow
Remember
Only remember.
Written for the Hellenic authors' society collective theme: "Wishes for 2021"