in the southern hemisphere, easter is in autumn when pomegranates are
plentiful like they are this morning Μεγαλη Παρασκευη1 today the sky is
black today the day is black mothers’ lament Παναγια Virgin Mary for her
son the goddess for her daughter
husk unblemished like Persephone’s skin and like mine years ago seeds the
colour of blood she and I shed as we descend each year Persephone into the
under-world, I into the darkness
in the black, candle-lit night, we shadow the epitaphio its bier enveloped by
white and mauve flowers
wait a while for the light to return2
καλο ταξιδι have a good trip as they kiss the remains in church and as the
coffin is lowered into the ground a departing wish for the journey to the other
side of the river
Note:
1.Good Friday
2.On Easter Saturday in the Greek Orthodox Church, the lights are dimmed, then the ‘holy’ light appears.