Big Canals
Collection of poems

Big Canals, Yannis Paschos’s third collection of poems is dedicated to female breast and itsmultitude of meaning. Breast, is not only a source of inspiration but also one of the first experiences man has with his fellow humans. As an eternal signifier it drives us to existence, to the world of symbols and the redeeming images that perpetually express the vital desire and the resemblance of the female nature to the nature of the universe itself.
Metamorphosis
Every night
I start able bodied,
with good weather,
with fingers dipped in honey,
stonewashed lips,
blind.
Ploughed by self-denial
I engrave the bed between your breasts
with a fiery tongue
and in the morning
I turn into body hair
downy, blond and indiscernible.:
Translation: Alexandra Samothraki
Next to the window holding a baby
Half naked as she was,
she took her baby in her arms to feed him
and then sat on the chair
right next to the garden window
Tiny, weird creature, otherworldly
sucking at her nipple with an undecided look
lost in a sea of happiness.
She shut her eyes a couple of times
for seconds,
as if she wanted to get rid of her thoughts
and over this weird sensation.
My baby, she said quietly
surrendered
and he did not budge
as if he knew
that so much acceptance and happiness could not be felt again.
My love, she said in a whisper
and spread her legs
to get more comfortable
on the chair in front of the window.
Translation: Alexandra Samothraki