ON THE TRIP YOU ARE TAKEN fromThe Grave
By Kostis Palamas
Translated by Alex Moskios
On the trip you are taken
By the horseman of the night
Anything that he offers you
You must refuse outright.
And if you thirst, don't drink
From the world below
The forgetfulness cursed drink,
Poor uprooted mistletoe!
Do not drink and totally
And eternally forget us!
Leave behind your marks
To find the way to get t'us.
And small as you still are,
And as a swallow light,
And a hero's noisy arms
Don't hang on your side,
Do your best to fool
The sultan of the night,
Slide quietly, in stealth,
And fly to the upper light,
And in our broken home
Return, oh darling mine,
And become a gentle wind
Sweetkissing us one more time.