The glorious colonel
—disguised as a future legend—
skulks in a musty cave, dispatching
urgent orders to his retreating army.
His killer squad with black hair,
long beards and knives blunt
from many years of senseless killings,
are furious to a man. They’ve never earned a single piastre for their many years of loyal service and for this injustice, a sailor has to die. The town policeman —asleep in a hut nearby— dreamt of the young man’s death but he was shackled to his iron mattress by cowardice and fear.
Wisps of matted flaxen hair
and pools of congealed blood
stain the tarmac and a crow sitting on the left shoulder of the moon with a black brush and an easel paints the sailor’s death mask.
Schools of fish are
drowning in his glazed eyes,
worms and maggots crawl
in his gaping mouth and a red boulder rests beside his temple.
Whispers sprouted in the streets.
Some said the sailor betrayed the revolution
but everyone in the town knew, the soldiers
killed the boy for his flaxen hair.
A few words about the poem…
“A Sailor Has to Die” from Cyprus Poems: A Harrowing Exploration of Fratricide and Otherness
“A Sailor Has to Die,” part of the collection "Cyprus Poems," delves into the complexities of human cruelty, revolution, and societal alienation. The poem employs vivid and unsettling imagery to narrate the brutal murder of a young sailor, intertwining themes of betrayal, otherness, and systemic complicity.
Through its haunting narrative, the poem offers a stark commentary on the dehumanising effects of violence, especially within the context of political upheaval. It examines the psychological and societal mechanisms that lead to fratricide, casting a critical eye on the destructive forces of revolution and its often-unintended consequences. By intertwining political and personal elements, the poem firmly situates itself within the tradition of political poems, inviting readers to reflect on the human cost of ideological struggles.
The Narrative and Symbolism of the Sailor's Death
The narrative of "A Sailor Has to Die" is as arresting as it is tragic. The murder of the flaxen-haired sailor serves as the focal point, with each stanza amplifying the horror and futility of the act. The poem's opening lines immediately set the tone, introducing the colonel as a figure of authority cloaked in myth, yet mired in the sordid realities of retreat and desperation. His detachment and the blunt knives of his killer squad symbolise a decayed moral compass, where even the instruments of violence are worn and inadequate, yet persistently wielded.
The sailor's flaxen hair becomes a potent symbol of his otherness, marking him as an outsider in a world dominated by the dark-haired soldiers. This physical distinction is imbued with broader implications, representing the societal tendency to alienate and destroy those who deviate from perceived norms. The poem explicitly critiques the absurdity of such prejudice by attributing the sailor's death to this arbitrary characteristic, underscoring the senseless nature of the violence.
Complicity and Cowardice in the Face of Injustice
The town policeman embodies the pervasive cowardice that enables systemic oppression and violence. His paralysis, both literal and metaphorical, mirrors the societal apathy that allows atrocities to unfold. As he dreams of the sailor’s death, the policeman becomes a passive participant in the tragedy, shackled by his fear and inertia. This characterisation serves as an indictment of those who, by their inaction, tacitly condone acts of injustice.
The Crow and the Moon: Poetic Imagery and Artistic Witness
One of the poem’s most evocative images is that of the crow painting the sailor’s death mask with a black brush under the moon’s pale light. This surreal tableau transforms the act of murder into a grotesque work of art, implicating both nature and the cosmos as silent witnesses to human cruelty. The crow, often a symbol of death and foreboding, becomes an unwitting chronicler of the event, adding a layer of eerie detachment to the narrative.
The depiction of the sailor's corpse further intensifies the poem's visceral impact. His lifeless body becomes a microcosm of decay and desecration, with drowning fish in his eyes and worms crawling through his mouth. These unsettling images force the reader to confront the raw brutality of death, stripped of any romanticism or justification.
A Societal Reflection on Betrayal and Allegiance
The whispers in the streets reflect the collective unease and moral ambiguity surrounding the sailor’s death. While some allege that he betrayed the revolution, the poem’s narrative leaves little doubt that his murder was an act of senseless violence, motivated by prejudice rather than principle. This duality mirrors the broader societal tensions of revolution, where the line between heroism and villainy is often blurred, and the innocent frequently become collateral damage.
The sailors’ killers, furious at their unpaid service, project their frustrations onto the young man, whose flaxen hair becomes a convenient scapegoat. This misdirected rage highlights the corrosive effects of systemic injustice, where those who suffer under oppression perpetuate the cycle of violence rather than breaking free from it.
Conclusion of the Main Essay
"A Sailor Has to Die" is a deeply unsettling yet profoundly impactful poem. It weaves together personal tragedy and political commentary, offering a multifaceted exploration of the human condition during times Cyprus’s brave rebellion against colonial rule and the resulting turmoil. As part of the broader collection "Cyprus Poems," it exemplifies the power of Cyprus Poetry to address universal themes of loss, betrayal, and resilience while grounding them in the specific historical and cultural context of Cyprus.
By challenging readers to confront the darkest aspects of human nature, the poem stands as both a testament to the enduring relevance of political poems and a call to reflect on the values and beliefs that shape our actions and societies.
Analysis of the Themes in the Poem
The themes in “A Sailor Has to Die” are as multifaceted as they are poignant. The primary theme revolves around the senselessness of fratricide, highlighting the dehumanising effects of violence within the context of even the most justified act of rebellion against foreign subjugation. The poem critiques the ideological fervour that justifies murder in the name of political causes, revealing the human cost of such extremism.
The poem’s most significant theme is otherness, represented by the sailor’s flaxen hair. This physical attribute becomes a symbol of societal alienation and the tendency to ostracise those who deviate from the norm. The poem underscores the dangers of this othering process, which often leads to prejudice and violence.
Complicity and cowardice form another layer of the thematic structure. The town policeman, shackled by fear, embodies the societal inertia that allows injustices to flourish. His inaction serves as a stark reminder of the moral responsibility each individual holds in the face of oppression.
Finally, the poem explores the theme of betrayal, both real and perceived. While some allege that the sailor betrayed the revolution, his death ultimately reflects the misplaced rage of those disillusioned by their own plight.
Analysis of the Verse
“A Sailor Has to Die” employs a free-verse structure, allowing for a fluid and organic progression of ideas. The lack of a rigid rhyme scheme mirrors the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the events described.
The poem’s language is vivid and unflinching, immersing the reader in the stark realities of its narrative. Repetition is used sparingly but effectively, reinforcing key motifs such as the flaxen hair and the crow’s artistic witness. The juxtaposition of surreal imagery with brutal realism creates a tension that heightens the emotional impact.
Analysis of the Symbolism
Symbolism permeates the poem, enriching its narrative and thematic depth. The sailor’s flaxen hair symbolises otherness, while the crow and the moon serve as cosmic observers, detached yet complicit in their silence. The crow’s act of painting the sailor’s death mask underscores the transformation of violence into a grotesque art form, implicating nature in the human propensity for destruction.
The policeman’s iron mattress represents his paralysis and moral imprisonment, while the congealed blood and lifeless body of the sailor become symbols of the irreversible consequences of hatred and violence.
Main Poetic Imagery
The poem’s imagery is both visceral and surreal, leaving an indelible impression on the reader. From the flaxen hair and pools of congealed blood to the crow’s macabre artistry, each image contributes to a tapestry of horror and poignancy. The drowning fish in the sailor’s eyes and the worms in his mouth evoke the inexorable decay of life, while the red boulder by his temple serves as a chilling reminder of his violent end.
Religious Symbolism Impact
Religious symbolism plays a subtle yet significant role in the poem. The crow, often associated with death and the soul’s passage, acquires a quasi-spiritual dimension in its role as an artist of death. The sailor’s death, marked by whispers of betrayal and judgement, echoes the narratives of martyrdom and scapegoating found in religious texts.
Through its exploration of fratricide, alienation, and complicity, “A Sailor Has to Die” transcends its specific historical and cultural context, resonating as a universal commentary on the darker facets of human nature. As part of "Cyprus Poems," it enriches the legacy of Cyprus Poetry, solidifying its place within the tradition of political poems that challenge, provoke, and endure.
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