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Poetry
by Chris Zachariou
United Kingdom


Τάκης Ζαχαρίου

Ποιήματα

Γιαλούσα, Κύπρος

Writer's pictureChris Zachariou

Sweet Songbird | A Coming-of-Age Poem


Sweet songbird of Saranti look at the purples in the hills see the vines on the slopes with red and white grapes.

Strange songsmith of the flatlands I see the vineyards and the forests but the grapes are still green and the rocks are soaked in brine

from the grief of weeping songbirds. Hear the gallop of red horses they are coming to steal the water; listen to my brothers weeping on a stick with honey and lime. Sweet songbird of Saranti come with me to the harbour into the house by the quay, before the fairy's voice lures you to the sticks with honey and lime. In our lemon-scented bedroom we'll feast on grapes and honey drinking water from the well before the horses come to steal it. My lover from the flatlands I fear the gallop of red horses and the sticks with honey and lime.

The red riders will pull my

fledgling feathers, they’ll put me

in a jar and my smooth white thighs

they'll sell to the highest bidder.



A few words about the poem…


A Tale of Allure, and Hidden Perils | A Coming-of-Age Poem

In the coming-of-age poem "Sweet Songbird", from the collection Cyprus Poems, the reader is presented with an allegorical tale that delves into the perilous journey of young girls drawn to the allure of urban lights. The poet paints a stark contrast between the picturesque hills of the mountains and the troubled flatlands, each holding its own secrets and hidden truths. At first glance, the scenery exudes tranquillity and beauty—the purples in the hills and the vineyards adorned with red and white grapes create an idyllic façade. However, beneath the surface, a deeper narrative begins to unfold, hinting at the unsettling reality that may lie ahead.


The poem's allegorical nature lends itself to multifaceted interpretations, and one can't help but ponder the underlying meaning behind the captivating imagery. Symbolizing the innocent and vulnerable girls, the sweet songbird becomes an emblem of youthful naivety enticed by the city's promises of grandeur and delight. Through the songbird's lens, the reader gains insight into the conflicting emotions—the allure of the city's bright lights against the safety of the countryside.


Yet, as the poem unfolds, a sense of foreboding begins to permeate the verses. The "red horses" galloping to steal water evoke an image of powerful and possibly menacing forces encroaching upon the songbird's tranquillity. The "sticks with honey and lime" become a subtle warning, luring the innocent into perilous traps disguised as sweet temptations.


Even the narrator, who presents himself as a protector and a saviour, leaves room for doubt. As the girl contemplates the decision to venture into the city, the reader cannot help but question the narrator's true intentions. Is he genuinely concerned for her well-being, or does he harbour ulterior motives masked by a reassuring demeanour? The poem subtly alludes to the notion that even those who offer protection may not be all that they seem.


Amidst the enchanting descriptions of lemon-scented bedrooms and feasting on grapes and honey, the poem's tone assumes a mystical allure, drawing the reader deeper into its narrative. It unfolds like a cautionary tale, where innocence becomes a delicate feather that may be plucked away and sold to the highest bidder.


The poem delivers an objective and informative account of the inner conflict faced by the sweet songbird. The verses beckon the reader to consider the universal struggle of the young torn between the promise of dreams fulfilled and the shadow of unforeseen consequences.


The imagery and descriptive language create a palpable tension, as the enchanting facade clashes with the darker undertones of forbidden allure and seduction. As the poem cautions against hasty decisions, it ponders on the complexity of human motives and the ever-present need for discernment when navigating through life's enchanting yet treacherous landscapes.




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