Christmas, the great Feast of The Nativity has been a source of inspiration for many Greek poets, who, through their lyrics, are touching and warming our hearts. Poetry helps us to see life with other eyes, with those of the soul and help us to feel the deepest meaning of Christmas. The magic of the poetic word sends messages of love, of faith, of hope, of redemption. It reminds us that the miracle is born and thrives within us. I have chosen three favorite poems of great creators to share with you.
“THE CHILD WITH THE TRUMPET” NIKIFOROS VRETTAKOS
If you could hear
I would give you my soul
take her to the edge of the world.
Make her a walking star or a wood
lit for the Christmas – in the fireplace of the Negroid
or the Greek peasant. Make her a blooming apple tree
in the prisoners ‘ windows.
I may not exist until tomorrow.
If you could hear
I would give you my soul
Do it at night
visible notes, color,
in the air of the world.
Do it love .
‘THE NATIVITY” TASOS LEIVADITIS
Another night I heard him crying next door.
I knocked on the door and I walked in. He showed me a small wooden cross on the nightstand.
“You saw–” compassion is born! Then I leaned over the head and cried myself.
Because it would have been centuries and centuries, and we wouldn’t have to say anything nicer than that.
“A GOD” KOSTIS PALAMAS
Oh! Inside me a God is born!
And my body becomes a temple,
not as a humble crèche first;
Inside me are shining skies,
My brow shines like a star.
To God reveal now, the time has come,
from your unknown secret places,
Wise Men, bring to God the rich gifts.
Bring Me Wise Men — Divine Will writes it —
The myrrh of Hope, the frankincense
of faith, of love the Gold.
such mysteries could not fathom a man’s mind!
And You, Thrones, pure, angels,
in my heart — in his cradle — bowed,
with Immortality songs
praise the Nativity.
Inside me are shining skies,
And my body, a humble crèche,
I see and change, it becomes a temple;
Oh! Inside me a God is born!