The Night of the Gardens

OPORA Those that were once breasts proud as a rooster, are now beaten by an endless sorrow of the Milky Way. Breasts that no longer contemplate marble and fire. Like a goddess who has lost her faith in the crimson darkness of the heavens. Come, slumber and dreams, on the pavements of Hades compose my sleep, so that I may not see Hera’s Cleo sucking the stars from the ether; the ease with which they grow old, filling the lips of the flute with darkness. Charalambidis has accustomed us to his frequent immersion in myth, from which he draws the appropriate threads, that is to say, the strong veins of communication with the deep roots and the great essences that stir him. Anthoula Daniel, diastixo.gr

POET If I had a clear mind, a pencil that writes quickly, quickly, lest time overtake us and a hand thrice blessed by the representatives of the divine whole, then deep within my joy would shine           and the branches of the heavenly bodies would ring. This publication has been subsidised by the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Cyprus. Whatever Kyriakos Charalambides writes, he writes poetry, with the utmost sense of responsibility for the craft he practises. By highlighting the origins, identity and age of the language and the place, he guides us towards the promotion of myth and history, linking old and new passions into a new composition, mythical and real figures into a new construct. Anthoula Daniel, apoikia.gr The truth, however, is one and it is this: Mr Charalambides and his work have reached great heights, very great heights in the poetic firmament! And I categorically reject the notion that whoever reaches great heights is left alone. Christos Mavris, poiein.gr

Kyriakos Charalambidis’s new collection of poetry, the fifteenth in the series, is perhaps the most comprehensive codification of the thematic motifs and expressive means of this great Greek poet. The word ‘Greek’ has nothing to do with his geographical place of birth or his registered place of origin. On the contrary, the Cyprus-born poet seeks to capture certain deeper, essential elements of the nation in its spiritual dimension, that is, as an indivisible unity whose true fulfilment lies in the broadening of horizons and the transcendence of monolithic concepts. The blending of history and myth constitutes for him the basis for exploring and explaining the dark yet luminous, or even all-encompassing, mystery of life through its Greek interpretation. Drawing on material from national dramas and passions, whilst not concealing our own Greek-ness, Charalambidis essentially builds his mystical relationship with Poetry. The use of words and their musical arrangement is the means by which he attempts, as he puts it, ‘to extract a meaning regarding the composition of the World and the conception of elements and laws related to the mystery of Creation’. ‘Charalambides is not only the most emblematic living Cypriot poet, but also one of the most important poets writing in the Greek language in recent decades…’. ―Book Press

Kyriakos Charalambidis’s new collection of poetry confronts the mystery of existence with contemplative maturity, combined with that of the poetic act itself. The four-part composition explores the poet’s intrinsic connection with the youthfulness of the creative spirit and visual art. Aspects of history, figures and moments are illuminated with the aim of highlighting the tragedy of Being. The poet attempts to pose questions that comment on situations whilst remaining unanswered regarding the mystery of the genesis of the world and of life.