Ξενιτεμένα μου πουλιά/My emigrated birds
Dedicated to the 57 friends, colleagues, daughters, sisters, mothers, fathers, and sons,
who were tragically murdered in the Tempi train collision on February 28th, 2023,
and to all those whose birds will not be coming back…
Translation: Aimilia Kirtsiou (βασισμένο στο δημοτικό τραγούδι «Ξενιτεμένα μου πουλιά»)
My emigrated bird
and begrudging one,
what foreign lands are enjoying
your condemned by fate youth?
What shall I send you
now that you’re in a foreign land?
I am sending you an apple, but it rots,
a quince, but it withers.
I am sending you tears.
Here, take this golden handkerchief
my poor foreigner.
Beware though! my tears are hot
and will burn through the handkerchief.
