GIVING
Indeed one can give to others
and not give anything at all,
and wickedness may take
and not lose anything from others.
The same way that on Easter Day
the priest gives light from his big candle
freely, since it costs him nothing,
but if it wasted candle drips,
one after another, three and then four,
common sense would soon instruct
the priest to ask for alms
even were his wife the only
one allowed to share his light
as I do now with this short poem,
so joyous and ironic
which I gladly gift to you
and to everyone who cherishes
these few words of mine
and claims that this was made for me,
and may whoever like these lines do so in health.
Therefore I welcome everyone
and, with the Bishop’s blessing
and my mind made up,
I hear, indeed, I order
monks and priests,
single and married women,
nuns and anchorites
young and pretty girls,
old women with undergarments,
all of them, I insist
may claim my gift.
Mayanaam
vequinox
Manolis 