Poetry from Greece - Zanneta Kalyva-Papaioannou

I also received a new book from another Greek poet, Zanneta Kalyva-Papaioannou, from Helioupolis. The books name is A life's notes, with translations in English by Zacharoula Gaitanaki.

A life's notes has 10 poems in English. They all treat the theme of love from the female point of view. Zanneta expresses her sensitivity both as a lover and as a mother. In her poetry she addresses always the "you" who can be a lover and a child. Her language is simple but beautiful, honest and clear as nature and Spring. Hers is an example of positive poetry, treating positive sentiments. Many poems are linked to particular spaces such as Paros' Island, Varkiza and Dilophos.

Poems by Zanneta:

SPRING

Now, that you arrived Spring

and nature is flourishing,

now, that you arrived Spring

and the flower blooms,

love started again

to rouse us.

Bees fly

from flower to flower,

gather the scent

and treat us honey.

The scent of flowers

make us wake up,

love caught us

and we are all... in love!!!

TOGETHER on the MOUNTAIN

Together on the mountain

we met one day,

we were wandering,

picking the best wild flowers.

We were playing with a daisy

"you love me?" "you don't love me"

but I'll always remember

when you started kissing me.

You were telling me tender, beautiful

and teasing words.

I passed my time joyfully

and I felt loving you much more.

More poems from Eftichia Kapardeli (Greece)

Some weeks ago I received more post from Greek poet Eftichia Kapardeli. I feel very near people like Eftichia, Zacharoula Gaitanaki, Zanneta Kalyva-Papaioannou, Stathis Grivas, Nickos Batsikanis and other Greek poets, perhaps because we are people from the Mediterranean or because both countries (Greece and Malta) have an important historical background, or because there is a kind of familiarity between all of us, even though we never met personally, for the time being.

Above right: St. Andrious Cathedral (the New and the Old), Patras

Below right: Kalogria - Gianniskari

The following are some other poems of Eftichia translated from Greek to English:

CHILDREN'S EYES

The houses of the city tightened

the snow in the roofs stretched out

two lights in the end of the street

two children's eyes

they read the shades

of the persons who were passing

the smell of bread unfolds in air

Thousands of stretched out hands

Thousands of children's eyes asking it.

(Dedicated to the children who have no food)

A POEM

Snow... the last

white flakes

fall on the earth

Castaways resemble

in deserted beach

and the sea white blood