07 Jan Summer Solstice (excerpt)
Now,
with the melted led of St John’s festivity
with the brilliance of summer pelagos,
all the nakedness of life,
and the going beyond and the staying put
the leaning down
and the upsurge
the lips, the caressed skin
they all long to be burned.
Like the pine at high noon
overcome by resin
in haste to produce flame
and can’t endure the struggle anymore —
call the children to gather the ash
and spread it.
What has passed has passed as it was fit.
And even what hasn’t passed yet
must burn
this high noon when the sun is nailed
in the heart of the one hundred-petalled rose.
George Seferis
Translated by Manolis Aligizakis
Image: http://fineartamerica.com/featured/summer-solstice-ii-patricia-motley.html
