What a life | Souris

"What a life..." is a poem written by the Greek poet Georgios Souris, translated in Enlgish by Naya Nomikou in September 2022.

Τhe poem satirizes the continuing alternation between two politicians (Trikoupis and Deligiannis) in the life of the political Greek scene of the 1880's. In spite of this alteration of the two politicians, which is nothing new, everything else in life remains the same as well. The difficulties, struggles and hard life of the people doesn't change no matter who politician gets elected.

"What a life..."

By Georgios Souris

Translated by Naya Nomikou

You don't know what to write, you don't know what to do!

You open your mouth and you feel bewildered and aghast...

Same old, same old... Trikoupis - Deligiannis,

but great Molaitis pops up in the mix.

Nobody knows what the devil to say anymore,

and if we go on and on like this, it's no good.

You don't know what to write, you don't know what to do!

Same old, same old... Trikoupis - Deligiannis.

Him with May, and the other with April,

they exhausted us, they made our ears ring...

Same old, same old, no new topics,

and not a single fireplace is lit.

Barrels, wagons, wine must, running all over the place, schools,

many relocations of people with their whole families...

same old, same old, no variety,

the same in the world and in politics.

If this indeed is life, my lord,

then, tell me, what is death!

You can listen a narration of this poem in Greek with English subtitles (enable the subtitles and then from the gear icon choose English subs) here

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