Poetry's domain is in our hearts

“For poetry there exists neither large countries nor small. Its domain is in the hearts of all.” – Giorgos Seferis

Born in March 1900, Seferis – one of the most important Greek poets of the 20^th century – had the rare distinction of being a star in both politics and poetry. He won the Nobel Prize for Literature while also serving as a career diplomat in the Greek Foreign Service, including a 5-year stint as Ambassador to Great Britain.   Seferis was awarded the Nobel Prize "for his eminent lyrical writing, inspired by a deep feeling for the Hellenic world of culture."  For Saturday’s Poem, here are three short Seferis poems.  

 

In The Sea Caves

in the sea caves
there's a thirst there's a love
there's an ecstasy
all hard like shells
you can hold them in your palm.

In the sea caves
for whole days I gazed into your eyes
and I didn't know you nor did you know me.

Just A Little More

Just a little more
And we shall see the almond trees in blossom
The marbles shining in the sun
The sea, the curling waves.
Just a little more
Let us rise just a little higher.

                                             Denial

On the secret seashore
white like a pigeon
we thirsted at noon;
but the water was brackish.

On the golden sand
we wrote her name;
but the sea-breeze blew
and the writing vanished.

With what spirit, what heart,
what desire and passion
we lived our life: a mistake!
So we changed our life.

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