...................................
These trees cannot settle
under a lesser sky
these rocks, cannot settle
under foreign steps
these faces cannot settle
but under the sun
these hearts cannot settle
but abiding in justice.
This landscape is harsh like silence
it tightens scorching crags, upon his chest.
it tightens his orphan olive trees
and grape vines
within his light,
he tightens his teeth.
There is no water, only light!
the road vanishes into light,
and the shadow of a stone wall
becomes iron-heavy.
The trees became of marble,
the rivers, the voices
within asbestos of Helios.
The root stumbles onto marble.
Dusty yews.
The mule and the rock. Gasp.
There is no water.
Everyone's thirsty.
For years, now.
Everyone chews a mouthful of sky,
above their bitterness.
Their eyes are red
from being vigil.
a deep groove is choked
between their eye brows,
like a cypress tree between
two mountains in sun set
..........................
Giorgio Venetopoulos
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/translation-grecite-by-yannis-ritsos/
