Each day at noon, I cycled
in the pungent fumes of melting tar
to a pubescent mirage on the water.
We were bound to each other
by ancient folklore of the land;
I, the young protégée of the sea,
seething, always unsated, and she
the precious daughter of the master.
Dressed in homespun blue
she glided to the beach at 2 pm
guarded by her father’s scathing
psalms and holy hymn books.
For many hours, I watched her lay
on the rocks in an other-worldly reverie
until I could almost taste the salt
and seaweed on her sunburnt thighs.
Whims of tortured youth—
We gorged on sweet apricots and figs
drifting on a raft we borrowed from
a sightless minstrel.
Vengeful monks nailed us on a cross
without mercy for the sin of youth.
We prayed for us, we prayed for Jesus
and together sought refuge from the elders
in the vastness of the cerulean sea.
A few Words about the poem…
A Coming-of-Age Poem | Exploring the Essence Love and Passion
Within the bounds of the written word, reality merges with imagination to reveal a profound work—an allegorical and surreal coming-of-age poem from the collection Cyprus Poems by Chris Zachariou.
It traverses the corridors of youthful awakening, where the ebb and flow of the sea mirrors the tumultuous path of self-discovery. The coast, enveloped in secrecy and whispered tales, sets the stage for this captivating poetic work—an exploration of love, desire, and the quest for understanding.
Through its precise language, vibrant landscapes of emotion are painted, inviting reflection upon personal journeys with introspection and empathy. The tapestry of verses intertwines destinies, weaving together ancient legends and the ever-restless sea. At the heart of this poem lies the intoxicating allure of the forbidden, captivating the reader's imagination.
Universal truths unfold with each crafted line, guiding the way to deep yearning and fearless exploration. Within the vast expanse of the poet's words, solace and comprehension await, revealing our shared human experience and the ceaseless search for meaning.
The poem offers glimpses into the intricate corridors of our hearts, inviting the confrontation of longings and the rediscovery of our place within the tapestry of existence. This coming-of-age poem bears a profound reminder—that poetry echoes our collective humanity, drawing us closer to our truths and illuminating the paths we tread. The allegorical verses follow the transformative journey of the lovers revealing a deeper understanding of the complexities of youth, the allure of the forbidden, and the eternal yearning of the human spirit.
Commentaires