Note

The poems translated here, for the first time in English, have been selected from the Greek poet Veroniki Dalakoura’s latest book, Efrosyni, published in 2024 by Koukkida Editions. The title is a Greek first name, rather like the English first name “Joy”. It was the name of the poet’s beloved niece, who died accidentally. She was also known by an affectionate nickname, Fiona. In their attempt to render the atmosphere of despair and mourning, the poems, which are dedicated to the niece’s memory, are written in an unusual style (typical of Dalakoura’s poetics) including broken Greek, odd line breaks, and transition-less progressions of imagery. Across her several volumes of poetry and prose, Dalakoura has forged an unmistakable style marked by the influence of surrealism. Her books often combine verse poems, prose poems, hybrid forms, and longer narratives in provocative ways.

                                                                                                               you
                                                                                                               Fiona



Gates led her to dancing lakes
Angels’ swordplay adorned her



*



                                                                                                               εσύ
                                                                                                               Φιόνα



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