Lena Kallergi

 

 Light-hearted in Larissa

 

 

I

 

In Larissa,

a city with a river

as it should be,

store owners are friendly

fruit vendors are friendly -

even cockroaches are friendly

though, in the end,

they meet the same death.

 

 

II

 

Lost on the road to Larissa

you found me.

You thought I was a great traveller.

But I was reciting

lines by Leonard Cohen,

the ones Thanos loved.

 

 

III

 

Every time I go to Larissa

I like its name a little more.

It reminds me of the woman

who took care of my grandmother

before she died.

It reminds me

of strong backbones

and muscular arms,

of a way to escape nearby,

in immeasurable plains.

 

 

IV

 

In Larissa’s museum

 - the diachronic one -

I was so happy

I almost forgot

my own history.

 

 

 

 

V

 

What flavours,

what oracles!

I never knew a river full of horses,

trees peopled by well-fed cicadas,

surprises of the tongue.

Taking a turn among the shops,

the ancient theatre.

 

 

VI

 

Familiar books

presented themselves

in Thanos’ place.

I read them all.

No one can tell me

Larissa

is a city with no peaks.

 

 

VII

 

In Thessaly

I didn’t climb the mountains

or visit the sea.

A friendship of the plains

had a stronger hold on me.

 

 

VIII

 

Warm lights, full of noise.

Friends, old and new,

disagreeing.

Every language inside me

is awake.

The best bars are in Larissa.

I’m OK for the winter.