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