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The Battle of Crete

 
THE BATTLE OF CRETE
 
I was not there
I had not been born at that time
to see
the flying mushrooms
to see the sudden threat
crossing the sky
the warm, clear sky of May.
 
I was not there
but i can recall
as if I were there
I can recall
soldiers like monster birds
falling on the earth of Maleme 
to write the preface
of a lost battle.
Later, some of them 
were found pinned
on the gray thorns of the huge
lance-shaped bushes
named "athanati"
which means, in Greek, "everlasting".
 
I had not been born at the time
when people of this island
men, women, children
stood opposite the odd flight
and grasped a stone 
or a piece of wood
or just their faith, decision, dreams.
They could not feel their heartbeats
they could not feel what time was it
they did not know if it was day or night
everything had been turned to mist and ice
Pastless and Afterless Time.
They were staring at the parachutes
while smooth, glossy silk 
was falling on the earth of Crete
withering soon
on the ground
just to reveal soldiers
dressed into fire and steel.
 
I was not there
but I know death was there
chuckling,
dancing over still bodies
pale faces
glassy eyes
-their whisper "Why?"
was to be never heard.
 
Most of them were young, childish
messengers of dark
innocent - like millions of people murdered
in death camps-
innocent like their deceived youth 
they came to fight a losing battle 
they came to sow disaster
they came laughing at life.
Then death laughed at them
and their bold innocence
had been stabbed.
They met truth for only one moment
before their eyes become glassy
before they ask "Why?"
before they decide to throw their guns away
and shake hands with their disarmed
but decisive opposites.
In fact, they met truth
before they live
and just before they die.
 
Now they blossom each year
over this earth
countless, bright flowers of excuse
deployed in straight lines
countless square, engraved stones
claiming their betrayed youth
claiming their deep sorrow
echoing their endless prayer for peace.  
 
Penelope Dountoulaki
 

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