I.
A day in July—
fires, bombs, a storm of death.
The drums of war
—monotonous, incessant—
pierce the eery silence of TVs
and panic-stricken phones.
Martial music plays non-stop
and a newsman with a gun
heralds the dawn of a new day.
In the brutal summer heat
machine-gun fire rages on.
Corpses are rotting in the streets,
mothers keen their dead sons
and brothers kill their brothers.
II.
Silence for a few days
then the drums begin once more.
This time terror has a foreign face.
Speechless radios, TVs, and phones
cower in hushed and quiet corners.
Tanks rumble in the streets and death
hovers in the pungent air.
Grey Wolves bark and snarl
knocking on doors at three a.m.
Boys and men are dragged out of bed
young girls are brutalized and abused
without mercy.
The screams behind the prison doors
go on for endless days and nights.
Each morning mothers gather at the gates—
few relieved to hear their sons still scream
more, grief-stricken to listen to their silence.
A day in July—
fires, bombs, a storm of death.
A few words about the poem…
Exploring History: “July 1974” from the Cyprus Poems Collection
The power of poetry lies in its ability to transcend the boundaries of time and space, to encapsulate human experiences in words that resonate with readers across generations. Within the collection of the "Cyprus Poems," some poems serve as a reflection and a testament to the turbulent history of Cyprus in the 20th century.
Among this collection is the poem titled "July 1974.” This poem comprises two distinct parts, each offering a sobering glimpse into the harrowing events that unfolded during that fateful month. As an objective and factually correct introduction, it is imperative to provide an overview of the historical context that serves as the backdrop for this evocative work.
July 1974 marked a pivotal moment in the history of Cyprus, a Mediterranean island nation with a complex and multifaceted history. The poem serves as a chronicle of the profound turmoil and suffering experienced by the Cypriot people during this period, a time characterized by political upheaval, violence, and foreign intervention.
The first part of the poem delves into the consequences of a coup d'état that transpired on the island, plunging it into a state of chaos and fratricide. The carefully chosen words paint a vivid picture of the societal fabric tearing asunder, with themes of destruction, death, and the agonizing division of families taking centre stage. It is a stark portrayal of the human cost of political turmoil and the devastating impact it can have on a nation's soul.
The second part of the poem shifts its focus to the subsequent invasion by Turkey, an event that further exacerbated the suffering of the Cypriot people. This section describes the cruelty inflicted by the invading army and the anguish of a population caught in the crossfire. It is a sobering account of the brutality of conflict and the indiscriminate pain it inflicts on innocent lives.
Throughout the poem, the language used by the author is characterized by its descriptive and slightly evocative nature, employing light poetic touches to create imagery while maintaining an authoritative and informative tone. The absence of flowery language underscores the author's commitment to allowing the reader to form their own judgments.
In conclusion, "July 1974 offers a factual and unbiased portrayal of the historical events it seeks to capture. It is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to illuminate the past, engage with the present, and provoke contemplation about the complexities of human history. As we delve into its verses, we are invited to bear witness to a chapter of Cyprus's history that is both sombre and instructive, reminding us of the enduring need for empathy, understanding, and peace in a world marked by strife and division.
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