Poem by Miltos Sachtouris
THE THREE LOVERS
A sea coloured light steams
on evening damp streets
wide hand over a heart
deserted steps
three lovers, holding hands, pass;
the first one
hanged his love on a tree
at midnight he prays under the tree
for his love to come down among the leaves
so the flood of decaying leaves stops
his tears, on the ground, are licked by a dog
from among the branches love stones him
the tree screams, so does the wind and the dog
the second lover
gifted his love to a crazy violinist
who started singing to his love
the sky rains flowers and coins
the roads echo the devastating violin
everyone now knows of the love song
tightened, leaden lips whistle it now
only that he doesn’t know it
the third lover
made a ship of his love
wished it good voyage to the three seas
he now became a boy again
builds towers on the shore
collects pebbles and shells
and waits for love, his ship, to return.
All three have incised their names on a tree
a violin next to their ear will drive them crazy
and the captain plays with the corals in the seafloor
Libros Libertad 