The Shipwrecks (Miltos Sachtouris)

arthquakes in Haiti & in Chile. On all cases the Greek media were trying to make sure that no Greek was hurt, despite the incredible losses of human lives and the massive destruction in both areas. If all Greeks are ok, then there's no problem. Humanity can go further. How hypocrites can we be? How self-involved? Well, there is an answer. It's a poem, by the great Miltos Sachtouris.

Τα ναυάγια

Μακριά στον ορίζοντα γίνεται

ένα ναυάγιο,είναι πολύ μακριά

και δε γνωρίζουμε τους πνιγμένους,

τους φίλους και τους συγγενείς που

τους θρηνούν.

Αλλά κι εδώ κοντά γίνεται ένα άλλο

ναυάγιο,κι αλίμονο,ξέρουμε

τους πνιγμένους,καθώς και τους

φίλους και τους συγγενείς που τους θρηνούν.

Μ.Σαχτούρης

The Shipwrecks

Far beyond the skyline

there is a shipwreck, really far

and we neither know those that drowned

nor their friends and families

who weep.

But also here, nearby, there is another

shipwreck, and, alack, we do know

the drowned, as well as their

friends and families who weep.

M. Sachtouris