ATHENS 1995
perhaps jason pilots the olympic airlines flight
towards greece cradle of european civilization plato’s
dialogues socrates’ philosophy pythagoras’ secret numbers
mythical argonauts gild skies golden lambswool clouds
freshly shorn afternoon light steals into night
timeless past present future glimpses
glittering islands star-studded darkness
wing tip blink fasten seat belt strong winds
tossed and flung like child’s kite
no smoking zone war zone toxic fug swirling chemicals
tobacco rows glowing red hostie sucks her ciggie
asthmatic ? tough – not enough seats for smokers
dina masks her face white silk scarf white noise
she breathes sleeps wakes last glimmer another day
golden sliver gilds the wing clouds froth navy sky
or is it sea? glow of twilight sleeping long night ends
breakfasted buffed becalmed await the landing
bump clunk the plane taxis stops click clack dina’s scarf groans i’m black
from soot aircraft steps extending dina shivers snuggles into coat
taxi driver asks do you like greece a question she thought
only posed by yobbo aussies of new arrivals
outskirts of athens drab paint-peeling boxes sighing
ancient monuments and broken columns whispering
of former glory barrows on corners offer kouloria
aroma of baking crisp circlets of bread sesame seeds – delicious!
icy breeze dina hurries into warm bar green red lights glow welcome
zorba tosses teases and torments worry beads smoking coughing
brings coffee 400 drachmas tiny cup dark liquid great aroma
later dina checks her purse i gave 1000 drachma only 100 change
perhaps i’m jet-lagged perhaps not feel muddled
zorba the barista loses his english
dina finds a bank smaller notes
omonia square pavement grumbles i’m cracked
pot holes leer seats scratched paint receding elderly greek
smooth olive patter offers to show her around
waxed moustache twitches anticipation
dina asks directions makes her escape
panepistimiou street stretches in warm sunshine
dina enjoys quality boutiques fine clothing
18ct gold jewellery ready to caress possess
black-clad granny sits in the dust with crutches
imploring eyes begging bowl pleads
a few drachmas
florist shop blossoms riot of hues petals coaxing her to buy
young woman stringy hair hopeless air
scrofulous hound on rope english sign no home no job
dozens of kiosks – peripetero – postcard adventures
souvenirs trinkets rainbows of dreams lucky numbers
organ-grinder portrait exotic woman raven hair carmine roses
voluptuous eyes plays haunting oriental music
dina tosses three coins into the saucer
policeman white-gloved gesticulates whistles screams booking
every moped driver who passes dina puzzles over the infringement
brakes screech sirens wail horns toot alternate-day cars fail
to ease traffic congestion motorbikes sneak short-cuts along pavements
vehicles surge change lanes rev engines menace pedestrians
even at crossings citizens zig zag among the aggressive throng
while the great reaper shakes his dark cloak waiting salivating
tourist coach miscalculation narrow corner driver backs up
young woman leaps screams watch out my car will be crushed
take a different line
ten am fine spring morning air hazy exhausted
ancient marble pitted crumbling
roaring beasts fuming pollution
cranes work sites excavations
underground railway
promised soon
