Yannis Ritsos – Poems, Volume I

We were stretching our arms
to gather star flowers
to gather the stars of our pulse
replying to the sea voices
to hold onto Beauty’s dress
traveling toward infinity
through the path designed on the pelagos
by the immense summer moon

At noon we wrestled naked on the sand
with the wet bodies of twelve-year-olds
more for embracing than for the win

more for the wresting than the win
only for the victory
Salty hair
sunburned thighs
waves splashing on a kiss
the sea just further than a spasm
The high noon descended buzzing in swirls of fire
to engulf houses of fishermen with white flames
to burn the hearts that don’t resist
Outside the windows tranquil guitar playing of sea breeze
the sunlit face of blue sky
in white summer memory
with a purple band of shadow
slant on the velvety cheek
Golden breath of endless water
nets sunbathing on the rocks
boats filled with fruits and flowers
our homes written in the sea
here they are our homes

https://draft2digital.com/book/3562834

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1926763076

Swamped

excerpt

or force you into saying something if don’t feel as I do, I need to
be truthful to myself.”
Eteo lightly kissed her beautiful lips and replied, “I’m falling in
love with you too, sweet Ariana. And you are not forcing me into
anything at all. I love everything we do, all the time we spend together
and that is a sure sign, isn’t it? I want to be with you more and more,
longer and longer, every time.”
With that, they stopped talking and left their eyes and bodies do
the rest. Upstairs they basked in another session of lovemaking, with
Ariana taking the leading role this time, a development Eteo didn’t
mind at all, especially when she cuddled with her back to him. The
next afternoon they drove reluctantly back to Vancouver. Monday
was soon to come.
Eteo got up even earlier than usual that Monday, since he wanted
to catch up with a few things. At around ten Rebecca called to ask
what name to reserve with the department of companies in Victoria.
Eteo suggested Alexa Ventures Ltd as first choice and Rebecca called
soon after to confirm that the name had been reserved.
“George Beaton will come to see you soon with a new property
agreement for Alexa Ventures,” Eteo told her. “You only have to add
the company name and prepare the official documents for the directors
to sign.”
“Who would you like to use this time, Eteo?” Rebecca asked.
After a moment of thought Eteo said, “Let me groom Mitch for
this. I’ll talk to him first, but Peter will certainly not mind joining,
and George will be happy to serve as mining advisor to the company.
Can you ask him when he comes with the property agreement?”
“Very good. I’ll work on the papers right away in case you’re in
a rush for this filing.”
“Yes, actually.” Eteo replied. “I would like it done sooner rather
than later, which reminds me I have to talk to the shareholders I have
in mind and collect the funds as soon as you have the subscription
forms ready.”
“I’ll stay a little longer tonight if that’s the case. I should be able
to get everything sorted out in a couple of hours,” Rebecca promised.
“I could pass by and keep you company for a while after I finish …

https://draft2digital.com/book/3562976

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WP3LMPX

Arrows

excerpt

into my eyes, and pressed the point directly over my heart, holding
it there, his nostrils flaring at the smell of me. I flinched and tried to
step back, but the sharp ends of several arrows held me in place.
Behind him I saw a man holding Apacuana by the arm in an iron
grip. This could be Baruta. He had a scowl like Guacaipuro. I heard
Apacuana whimper but I did not dare take my eyes off
Guacaipuro’s face. He was challenging me; the worst I could do was
shrink back. Saint Francis, please help me, I prayed.
I kept my breathing as shallow as possible. Their language was
rich in guttural sounds that were hard compared to the melodious
Cumanagoto Tamanoa spoke.
“Tamanoa,” I said. “Can you understand them?”
“Enough,” he said.
“Yim, ëjkai’ e’ñe kë’ më?”
It was the man holding Apacuana. He was saying, “Father, what
will be done about him?” Much of what was happening was
bewildering to me, but I would later learn the details from Tamanoa
and Apacuana.
The father did not answer his son. Instead he turned and
examined Tamanoa. I was as fearful of Baruta, Apacuana’s future
husband, as I was of Guacaipuro. Whereas the son was merely
contemptuous, the father was curious. Evidently Apacuana must
have asked them not to kill us immediately. After Guacaipuro had
sneeringly walked completely around Tamanoa, unimpressed by
his Mestizo make-up, Apacuana took the opportunity to step
forward.
“Uncle, he is a witchdoctor,” she said. “He can talk to their god. I
beg you.”
Guacaipuro’s eyebrows relaxed somewhat but furrowed again.
“Half-breed, you do not deserve to live,” he pronounced, for all to
hear.
“Wait!” I shouted and started toward.
“Akeñ!” Tamanoa repeated, duplicating my tone of voice.
In this way we alerted Guacaipuro to Tamanoa’s ability to speak
both languages.

https://draft2digital.com/book/3562848

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0981073522

Marginal

XI
Come, bring a spoonful of vanilla
in a glass of water from the pitcher
truly the times change and these days
with a movement of the mouse
one evaluates and allots rewards
with black and white spots that
we don’t know whether they exist
come, my sweet, sit next to me
I want to talk to you about our wine
that we tasted each evening
when the sky’s embrace opened wide
to pass us to transcendence
come, please don’t delay time passes fast
I don’t know whether we shall again have
the chance to recall all these tender
thoughts and sacred images, time runs
indifferently and leaves us behind
to the mercy of the hungry Hades who
to take and who to leave for another day
come and with your touch, tell me
about our purpose in this lifetime and
I shall relate to you how I’ve spent
all my life, here with you, this evening,
and in the tenderness of all our moments.

https://draft2digital.com/book/3747032

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1771715987