@ Martha Gunn, Brigthon, 2020
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Postdoctoral Research Associate
Department of Mathematical Sciences,
Durham University,
Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3LE
United Kingdom
In the nor-wester the waves boiled; we were both bent over the map.You turned and told me how in Marchyou'd be in other latitudes.
A Chinese tattoo drawn on your chest;however you burn it, it won't come off.They said that you had loved her oncein a sudden fit of blackest fever. Keeping watch by a barren capeand the Southern Cross behind the braces.You're holding coral worry-beadsand chewing bitter coffee beans. I took a line on Alpha Centauruswith the azimuth compass one night at sea.You told me in a deathly voice:"Beware of the stars of Southern skies". Another time from that same skyyou took lessons for three whole monthswith the captain's mulatto girlin how to navigate at night.
In some shop in Nosy Beyou bought the knife - two shillings it cost -right on the equator, exactly at noon;it glittered like a lighthouse beam. Down on the shores of Africafor some years now you've been asleep.You don't remember the lighthouse nowor the delicious Sunday sweet.
>> Nikos Kavvadias (1910- 1975)
[Translation by G. H. Warhaft, from "The Collected Poems of Nikos Kavadias", published by A. M. Hakkert, Amsterdam, 1987]
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