Vicky Tsaconas reads ‘at the end’

I will bathe her
at the end of her life
as she bathed me
at the beginning of mine

but I will not sing you a lament
you did not teach me
you, who lamented them all

δε θα σε μοιρολογησω
δε μ’εμαθες
εσυ που τους μοιρολογησες ολους

I do not remember
laments
that ruptured
my early morning
half-sleep
for months
after her mother died,
at bed-side  coffin  grave
of my father
just the gut-punches
wailed in one breath

I will be silent
silent  cut off  alone
as I prepare her
for her journey

and you will go
as you lived
unsung

Pronunciation guide

δε θα σε μοιρολογησω: thee tha se miroloyíso

δε μ’εμαθες: thee mémathes

εσυ που τους μοιρολογησες ολους: esí poo toos mirolóyises óloos

Vicky Tsaconas lives in Melbourne, where she was born. Her parents migrated to Australia from Greece in the 1950s.

Her poetry and prose have been published in the anthologies Southern Sun, Aegean Light and Mothers from the Edge, in Stylus Lit,Transnational Literature, Australian Poetry Journal, Azuria, Hobo Poetry Magazine, & (ampersand) and Unusual Work.

Her articles have been published in Australia, Greece and online. Vicky was one of the founding members of Διφωνιες (Difonies) Journal of Greek Australian Thought. 

Greek is her first language, the language spoken within family. She writes mainly in English and incorporates Greek words and phrases – because that is how she thinks and how she expresses herself.