Now that you go Now that you go and take the child
that saw the light in the shadow of that plane
a day that sounded trumpets, flashing weapons
sweaty horses and bent down to lick
the green surface
water in the pit with wet nostrils.
The olive trees with the wrinkles of our fathers
rocks with the wisdom of our fathers
and blood, live on the ground, his brother's joy
were substantial, safe condition for
souls who knew their prayers.
Now that you're gone, now that the day dawns
the statement, now that no one knows
anyone who kills or how it will end,
and take the child who was born
under the leaves of that plane and teach him how to interrogate
the trees.
I let go a huge river in between my toes
without drinking a drop, and regret it.
Now I sink into the stone. A small pine
on clay is my only company.
Everything I loved was lost with the houses that
were new last summer and the autumn wind has ruined.
George Seferiadis
