Katerina Papadopoulou / Κατερίνα Παπαδοπούλου

I will come from the open sea, my beloved, and kiss you
And my lips will be salty, not to forget you

You are leaving and I beg you to be cautious and alert
As you are innocent and ignorant of the sea

I step in the snow and I am burning, and in the fire I freeze
And in the wind I get wet, and in the rain I become dry

You shine and flash and thunder, you cloud and rain
And you have all the graces of God upon you.

I pack the chaff and I come
To your neighborhood in the dawn
To see your black eyes*
To hear your voice

Wake up my diamond
And I came to your neighborhood
To see what they are going to do to me
Your neighbors

I feel a shiver when I”m close to you
And I wish it would stop
Please let my little body
Roost in your arms

I pack the chaff and I come
To your neighborhood in the dawn
To see your black eyes
To hear your voice

(*black in color; no relation to the English idiom of bruising)

I came and you are sleeping in the white jasmine flowers,
wake up and live as well, like my robust lemon tree.

My partridge* from Livisi**
I have gotten tangled in your nets.

Take the keys of my heart and open
inside there is a rose garden, come in and take a walk.

Come and don’t get tired
of the road to come and find me.

(translation: Eva Johanos
*partridge- a term of endearment for a beautiful young girl;
**Livisi- a place in Asia Minor)

I cry and sigh heavily
And I look at the sea
For two sugary eyes
Which are missing in foreign lands

Sea take pity
A little bit on me, too
Bring my bird
From the foreign lands

Sea of poison
My heart you have burned
You took my comfort
From my embrace

Oh, you evil sea
How you tricked me, sly one
You seduced, deceiver,
My love, you thief

(translation: Eva Johanos)