AFTER THE DEFEAT
Mter the annihilation of the Athenians
at the "Aegos Rivers" and
a bit afterwards,
after our total defeat-we lost the free discussions
and
also
lost Pericles' glory
the flourishing of Arts, our gymnastics
and the symposiums of our
wise
men.
Now,
a heavy silence and immense sadness covers the Agora.
The Thirty Tyrants remain unpunished.
All our chores (even the most domestic ones)
are done in absentia, without the least possibility
of help, defense or apologia, or protest
even just for the show.
Our books and papers they have put to fire
and the country's honor has been cast into
their garbage can.
If
it were ever possible to get our most trusted friend
as a witness,
he wouldn't accept fearing that our curses
will land on his skull-what can the unlucky fellow do!
That's why everything
is
all
right here !- perhaps
we shall discover a new relation with nature
gazing at the chunk of sea visible from our prison bars,
looking at rocks and herbs
or a cloud at sunset-a cloud heavy with pathos and violets.
Perhaps one day, a new Kimon shall arrive
led secretly, by that same eagle;
to dig and disinter the ironheads of our spears
as they lie in the rust-and that rust is liquidated–
to carry them in secret ceremony
through a funereal or triumphant parade
with music
and wreaths
to Athens.
-Concentration Camp of Leros, March
3, 1968.
