Alfama

Alfama
by Vasilis Polyzos

at the crack of dawn
the bells still held
the angel
hidden under their tongues
the empty flowerpots
sweet basil in their memories
alleys of the codfish
paved with amber and ivory
and these exquisite silks
of the spider
just touching fleetingly
your eyelids
before the beggars of the castle
start on their rounds
their hats brimming
with blessings and curses
and the Tejo spellbound
in the magic of fados
ere the sun wakes him
by emptying a pitcher
of vinho verde
upon his face
at this hour
(you mused)
will be leaving
her ephemeral lover’s bed
Maria Consuelo Assunsion
demi - mermaid
demi –haze
her heavy plaits
(gold red brush-strokes
by Titian)
flowing down to her knees
the marks of south wind
on her nape
in days gone by you wrote
on her open carnation flowers
the song of songs
with your lips

Alfama
by Vasilis Polyzos
From the Collection Ηλιακό Ποδήλατο
(The Solar Bicycle)
published by METAIXMIO, 2003, Athens
translated into English by the Author, 2004

Maria Consuelo Assunsion,
an image by Vasilis Polyzos 2008