Ποιειν Και Πραττειν - create and do

From "To Axion Esti"

Greek the language they gave me;

poor the house on Homer's shores.

My only care my language on Homer's shores.

There bream and perch

wind beaten verbs,

green sea currents in the blue

all I saw light up in my entrails,

sponges, jellyfish

with the first words of the Sirens,

rosy shells with the first black shivers.

My only care my language with the first black

shivers.

There pomegranates, quinces,

swarthy gods, uncles and

cousins

emptying oil into giant jars;

and breaths from the ravine fragrant

with osier and terebinth

broom and ginger root

with the first chirping of finches,

sweet psalms with the very first Glory Be to Thee!

My only care my language with the very first Glory Be to Thee!

Oysseus Elytis