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Poetry
by Chris Zachariou
United Kingdom


Τάκης Ζαχαρίου

Ποιήματα

Γιαλούσα, Κύπρος

Writer's pictureChris Zachariou

The Harvest of the Souls | Cyprus Poems


A harbinger of woe—

a chilling knock was heard

at noon on her father’s door.

Shadows fell across the land

like the wrath of a gruesome god, a giant stain on the scorching sun.

Birds stopped their singing,

men and vipers looked for shelter

and only the drumming of his horse's hooves

echoed in the deserted streets and lanes.

People glimpsed his scythe and ran, fathers locked and bolted all the doors

and mothers hid their maiden daughters.


On 'The Harvest of the Souls' day

the nether master rode into the town

to demand his rightful tithe.


Part of the cycle of poems thirteen silk verses


A few words about the poem…


The Harvest of the Souls – The Fusion of Two Cultural Threads – Cyprus Poems


The death and grief poem from the cycle Thirteen Silk Verses within the collection of Cyprus Poems, creates a contemplative fusion of two distinct cultural strands, bearing witness to both the echoes of medieval Europe's power dynamics and the enigmatic threads of Greek mythology. Each strand, intricate in its influence, weaves a narrative that resonates through time.

 

In the tapestry of medieval Europe, the echoes of the past reverberate in the figure of the "Lord of the Manor." An emblem of patriarchal authority, this lord held a chilling privilege: the right to claim a newlywed bride's virginity on her wedding night. The spectre of this entitlement cast a long shadow over young women's lives, shrouding their hopes and dreams in a veil of fear. The pervasive dread of being consigned to a fate chosen by another, a fate devoid of agency or desire, permeated their existence. This societal construct, while veiled in the cloak of tradition, lay bare the vulnerability of women within a system where their autonomy was secondary.

 

Simultaneously, the poem’s tapestry is interwoven with threads from the realm of Greek mythology, where Hades, the inscrutable Lord of the Underworld, held dominion over souls and desires. This mythological undercurrent invokes the age-old myth of Persephone, a maiden whose fate was irrevocably intertwined with the cycles of life and death. Just as Hades could pluck Persephone from the world above, “The Harvest of the Souls” paints a chilling picture of his arrival, unbidden and relentless. The footfalls of his horse reverberate through once-bustling streets, now deserted in fear, as he exercises his right to claim the young and the pure. The poem tantalisingly blurs the line between myth and reality, inviting readers to navigate the labyrinthine corridors of interpretation.

 

As dawn gives way to dusk, the poem captures the palpable fear that once clung to the air in medieval chambers and ancient myths alike. It is a mournful ballad of women’s voices stifled and desires extinguished, a reminder that the footprints of history often leave indelible marks upon the landscape of human experience. And yet, it is also a reflection of the enduring power of storytelling to illuminate the shadows of the past, to give voice to those who once whispered in the darkness.

 

In this symphony of cultural influences, this coming-of-age poem is a testament to the enduring threads that bind myth to reality, history to imagination. The poem beckons us to unravel its layers, to peer into the kaleidoscope of time, and to reflect upon the haunting echoes that linger between the lines of myth and memory. It serves as a reminder that while the historical contexts may change, the perennial struggles and aspirations of humanity remain eternally entwined.

 

Analysis of the Themes in the Poem

 

“The Harvest of the Souls” delves into the themes of authority and submission, fear, and the loss of autonomy. These thematic elements echo through the medieval social dynamics as well as the mythological landscape, creating a resonant blend that explores the human cost of patriarchal control and supernatural power alike.

 

Analysis of the Verse

 

The poem’s structure captures a sombre rhythm that amplifies the subject matter. With its steady progression, the verse reflects the relentless approach of the harbinger, underscoring the inevitability of fate and the coldness of the claims imposed on the innocent.

 

Analysis of the Symbolism

 

The scythe and the shadow cast by the harbinger emerge as primary symbols of death and control. These symbols serve as both literal and figurative representations of the powers—mortal and divine—that dictate the fates of young women within the cultural boundaries that define them.

 

Main Poetic Imagery

 

The poem’s imagery is richly textured, particularly in its portrayal of the deserted streets, the darkened sky, and the looming figure of the horseman. These elements vividly convey the dread and helplessness that encapsulate the narrative.

 

Religious Symbolism Impact

 

The religious undertones in the harbinger’s role connect to the eternal motif of soul-harvesting, drawing parallels with medieval conceptions of sin and judgment. The blending of such motifs with mythological references suggests an inescapable cycle where innocence is repeatedly claimed by forces beyond human understanding.

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