THE AXION ESTI, by Odysseus Elytis

THE AXION ESTI, by Odysseus Elytis

THE BLOOD of love has robed me in purple 

And joys never seen before have covered me in shade. 

I've become corroded in the south wind of humankind 

Mother far away, my Everlasting Rose. 

On the open sea they lay in wait for me, 

With triple-masted men-of-war they bombarded me, 

My sin that I too had a love of my own 

Mother far away, my Everlasting Rose. 

Once in July her large eyes 

Half-opened, deep down my entrails, to light up 

The virgin life for a single moment 

Mother far away, my Everlasting Rose. 

And since that day the wrath of ages 

Has turned on me, shouting out the curse: 

"He who saw you, let him live in blood and stone" 

Mother far away, my Everlasting Rose. 

Once again I took the shape of my native country, 

I grew and flowered among the stones. 

And the blood of killers I redeem with light 

Mother far away, my Everlasting Rose. 

From THE AXION ESTI, by Odysseus Elytis (1911-1996) 
Translated by Edmund Keeley and George Savidis