she knits the sea  
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SHE KNITS THE SEA
(for mum)

Aegean:
what a funny way to spell a sea,
which
as far as the eye can see
pours out before me.

Past 
the aegean rocks,
the aegean shore,
the aegean history,

While outside this aegeon church
a Parian woman crochettes patiently
in lee of the sea breeze.

What is the name for all I see?
A paradise of strangers and sun washed sights.

How to spell the sun, whose light
shines:
off walls and sunglasses,
camera lenses
and forgotten language classes,

Between lime trees, church seats
and doric columns,
on 
the postman, arriving
before he knocks, calling
"Katarina!"
Discussing on the stoop
what arrives this morning
with the rest of the day.

Sometimes Greek, French, or 
English voices
with the aegeon behind
float on the breeze
capturing a snapshot 
of the passing tourist's mind.

Was that Italian, Deutche or Spanish?
Swedish, Celtic, hope or anguish
I watched enter this shrine to daily labour,
into the house of god
away from the sunshine moment savoured,
-their Paros t-shirts printed
in some distant harbour-

What's the name
for these Grecian geraniums, bamboo, 
or for the Aegeon's favourite saviour?

How is any of it spelt, 
or smelt,
or flavoured?

All is explained
by this Parian lady
crochetting together
her patient morning's labours.
 
 

27/6/02 (Paroikia)