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A Journey Through Life's Tapestry: Poems of Love, Loss, Grief, and Despair

Welcome to a world of poetry that delves into the emotional contours of life, exploring themes that touch every facet of the human experience. Within these pages, the poet's voice navigates love and loss, grief and despair and the mysteries of faith. While certain poems are inspired by early memories of Cyprus—fondly referred to by the poet as “Cyprus Poems” and “Cyprus Poetry”—the collection spans far beyond, offering reflections on universal themes and timeless questions.

Van Gogh’s “Prisoners Exercising” shows a grim prison courtyard, with inmates circling endlessly under the watch of a guard.

a favourite poem

Thursday, 23 June 2016
Political Poems
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The dismal spectre of a dying stanza

gasps between the black and white keys

of a crumbling, tuneless piano.

 

Cigarette burns and brown stains
scar its tired wooden top— tarnished

medals from recent wars and skirmishes.

 

These are the Beagle’s final days.

 

In a rusty voice, the town crier’s bell

proclaims to empty streets and galleries

the death of art and poetry in the city

and sombre incantations continue into the night.

 

Beyond all courage, obscure poets

shelter in the barricades of French cafés

and Vincent circles the yard each day in tears—

all his sunflowers and bright yellow fields

have perished in evening’s fading light.

 

Analysis and Critique


More political Poems
 

Featured Collections

The Cyprus Flag, the shape of Cyprus in yellow with laurel leaves underneath on a white background, adopted by the country on its independence from Britain in 1960.

In "Cyprus Poems," Chris Zachariou delves into themes of life, death, love, and loss, drawing from the mythology and cultural heritage of Yialousa, Cyprus. The poems are deeply rooted in the landscape and folklore of the poet’s birthplace.

A minimalist sculpture of two figures, one reaching while the other pulls away, captures the tension of love and loss—caught between holding on and letting go.

"Old Stories" is a poetic cycle exploring love and loss. The narrator envisions a deep bond between two partners, yet the relationship ends in sorrow. After their separation, the narrator faces depression and struggles to rebuild, burdened by the unclear reasons for their parting.

A couple in a heated argument, faces tense and voices strained. The image captures the bitter emotional distance between them, reflecting the turmoil of a toxic love

*Mosaics* is a poetic cycle on toxic love, exploring love’s joy and its destructive side. Miscommunication and insecurities drive conflict, leading to volatility and breakdowns as minor issues ignite deeper tensions.

A row of lit funeral candles flickers softly during a Greek Orthodox funeral service. The warm, steady glow contrasts with the sombre atmosphere, symbolising eternal remembrance.

"Thirteen Silk Verses" is a collection of poems addressing death and grief. The poems grapple with the anger over a young person's death, questioning a seemingly indifferent god. They reflect both the joy of a young life and the deep sorrow of her loss.

© 2020 by Chris Zachariou, United Kingdom

freely available for non-commercial use

Images and 'favourite poems' may be subject to copyright

by third parties.​

Most poems are accompanied by critique and analysis

through generative artificial intelligence (AI)

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