Theofani, wrecked in the scent
of Mary Jane, pirouettes late into the
night on the bridge of the village river.
She shudders in its whirling waters
in the arms of elfish naiads and has
the taste of sullied apples on her lips
picked from the sour bishop’s garden.
‘Eat child’, chirps a playful goblin
with translucent crimson wings
hiding in a pot of perfumed basil.
A frenzied night muddies the river’s
waters and in the morning the town’s
envious virgins scorn her.
Touched by the goblin’s madness,
they gallop bareback to the ruined Basilica
on the Pasha’s foaming mule.
The demon gods return victorious
marching proudly into the wasted temple.
‘Where are the new Olympians?’
she asks in awe of her ungodly lover.
Theofani drifts into the maroon horizon
craving the breath of a scarlet day
and the goblin digs his nails into her spine
until she howls with pain and pleasure.
A few words about the poem…
A Surreal Poem of Sexual Awakening from the Collection Cyprus Poems
The surreal poem “Theofani,” delves into the life and experiences of a young woman in Yialousa, Cyprus in the 1900s, as she embarks on a journey filled with mystical encounters. It is likely that she suffered a stroke that caused her to lose her mind. A rumour, however, told of her being attacked by goblins on a haunted bridge.
The poem, from the collection “Cyprus Poems”, begins by immersing the reader in the sensory experience of Theofani, who is surrounded by the scent of Mary Jane. This choice of imagery immediately sets the tone for a dreamlike and surreal narrative.
The central image of Theofani pirouetting on the bridge of the village river evokes a sense of quirkiness and freedom. She interacts with supernatural beings like elfish naiads and a playful goblin, each adding a layer of mysticism to the story. The goblin's offer of sullied apples from the garden of a sour priest adds a touch of irony to the narrative.
As the night progresses, the river's waters become muddied, symbolizing a sexually chaotic and transformative experience for Theofani. The envious reactions of the town's virgins in the morning suggest that her journey has set her apart from the conventional expectations of society.
The poem takes a dramatic turn with the arrival of demon gods into the ruined Basilica, marking a departure from the ordinary world. Theofani's question about the new Olympians underscores her fascination with the supernatural and the unknown.
The poem concludes with Theofani drifting into the maroon horizon, seeking new life and sexual experiences symbolised by a scarlet day, while the goblin's presence leaves a mark on her both physically and emotionally.
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