Category: Cyprus

Inside the fizopots with halloumi, the whiskers of mice.
In the spoon-sweets, the hens’ coops.
The basin, scratched bare by the fezziania.

Today was a full day. Many misfortunate women came near you, asking you to read their coffee.
Your hair, dyed pale blond – bleached out.
Hair all loosened, a maïssa witch, when night falls, better that no one sees you.

The moon is full.
Beside, the church of the rose everlasting.
You pass close by the belfry with your broom of twigs.

Your nose sharp, with nostrils like unripe cherries – turned upside down.
Saggle-mouthed.
All a jumble, a turmoil inside that chamber.
If someone dares put his feet inside, better he hadn’t…

On your hunchback, the cats search for a rest.

I saw you many times holding that telephone – up and down the street.
At home, you do not sleep. The spells unravel with the waves.

Night comes. You hurry inside. Dark.
You light the lamps.
The papers catch fire.

A monstrous puff rises from the bottom of the paper up to your lips.

You throw in a heap of coal-dust and stir.
You put on your pointed hat and, plunging the long wooden ladle, you burst out with sharpened laughter…

The cats’ whiskers spark with static. Their tails, antennae.

I make a strong charm, a clever charm.
That the barren may eat, and bear children.
That the luckless may eat, and find luck.
That the old maids may eat, their wombs set aflame.
That the boys of desire may eat, enough to mount.

Dawn breaks.
You put on your best.
On Tirkatís’ sunrise, the Day of the Paschatos.

Over your filthy flowered skirt, you girded a string of keys.
The largest: Rose.
You open the door of the temple, so the tourists may enter.

Young girls from Astromeritis, old women.
Doves from Peristerona.
Wild herbs from Evrychou.
Little spoilt ones from Korakou.
All make a line at your door, to learn their fate.

Plenty of coins, you pocket them, I see you.

With Christ early in the morning, with Satan late at night, you deal and conjure hosts upon hosts of angels.

I change my path, take another road, whenever I near your house’s yard, lest I be ensnared.