top of page

Poetry
by Chris Zachariou
United Kingdom


Τάκης Ζαχαρίου

Ποιήματα

Γιαλούσα, Κύπρος

Theofani | Cyprus Poems

Writer's picture: Chris ZachariouChris Zachariou

An illustration of the Goblin Market poem by Christina Rossetti that inspired “Theofani” from the collection Cyprus Poems.
Goblin Market: Forbidden Fruit

Theofani, wrecked in the scent

of Mary Jane, pirouettes late into the

night on the bridge of the village river.


She shudders in its whirling waters

in the arms of elfish naiads and has

the taste of sullied apples on her lips

picked from the sour bishop’s garden.


‘Eat child’, chirps a playful goblin

with translucent crimson wings

hiding in a pot of perfumed basil.

A frenzied night muddies the river’s

waters and in the morning the town’s

envious virgins scorn her.


Touched by the goblin’s madness,

they gallop bareback to the ruined Basilica

on the Pasha’s foaming mule.


The demon gods return victorious

marching proudly into the wasted temple.

‘Where are the new Olympians?’

she asks in awe of her ungodly lover.


Theofani drifts into the maroon horizon

craving the breath of a scarlet day

and the goblin digs his nails into her spine

until she howls with pain and pleasure.



A few words about the poem…


Theofani: A Surreal and Sensual Odyssey in the "Cyprus Poems"

 

"Theofani," a standout poem from the collection "Cyprus Poems," intricately weaves surreal imagery with themes of awakening, rebellion, and transformation. Situated in the mystical landscape of early 20th-century Yialousa, Cyprus, the poem encapsulates a world where the tangible and supernatural merge, crafting a narrative that is at once vivid and enigmatic. Through Theofani’s journey, the reader encounters a tapestry of mythological symbols, societal tensions, and the intoxicating allure of forbidden experiences.

 

The opening stanza immerses the reader in a nocturnal scene rich with sensory detail. Theofani, surrounded by the “scent of Mary Jane,” pirouettes on a village river bridge, her movements a blend of intoxication and unrestrained joy. This imagery sets the tone for a narrative that shifts fluidly between the earthly and the surreal. Her dance on the bridge, a liminal space between land and water, prefigures her crossing into a realm where societal norms dissolve, and personal transformation begins.

 

The surreal intensifies as the river's waters become a stage for mythical beings. The naiads, elfish figures from folklore, symbolise the river’s dual nature as a source of life and chaos. Their embrace hints at liberation, yet their presence also underscores the unpredictable forces of nature and emotion. The “sullied apples” offered by the goblin, plucked from the “sour bishop’s garden,” invoke Biblical imagery of temptation and fall, yet the ecclesiastical figure’s presence infuses the scene with irony. This moment becomes a defiant twist on the archetype of forbidden fruit, portraying Theofani as a willing participant in her own awakening.

 

The goblin’s playful yet sinister role evolves as he emerges from a “pot of perfumed basil.” His translucent crimson wings, both alluring and dangerous, represent the tension between innocence and corruption. His coaxing command, “Eat, child,” echoes mythological sirens, enticing Theofani to embrace the forbidden. This interaction signals the beginning of her descent into chaos, one that muddies the waters of her existence both literally and metaphorically.

 

In the aftermath of the night’s frenzy, the poem shifts focus to the reaction of the village’s virgins. Their scorn reflects societal condemnation, yet their subsequent actions betray a shared yearning for freedom. The goblin’s and Theofani’s bareback ride to the ruined Basilica, atop the “Pasha’s foaming mule,” is laden with imagery of rebellion and suppressed desires erupting into wild abandon. The ruined Basilica, once a symbol of religious authority, now stands as a site of desecration and transformation, embodying the collapse of societal norms in the face of primal forces.

 

As the poem progresses, demon gods enter the wasted temple, marking a dramatic departure from the ordinary. Their triumphant march and Theofani’s awe-filled question, “Where are the new Olympians?” highlight a clash between the sacred and the profane, the ancient and the contemporary. Her fascination with these chaotic deities mirrors her own transformation, as she aligns herself with forces that challenge the rigid moral structures of her world.

 

The poem concludes with Theofani’s retreat into the “maroon horizon,” an evocative image of transition and liminality. Her craving for the “breath of a scarlet day” suggests a desire for renewal and liberation, while the goblin’s physical and emotional hold on her signifies the inextricable ties between pleasure and pain, freedom and surrender.

 

Analysis of the Themes in the Poem

 

"Theofani" is a layered exploration of themes such as sexual awakening, societal repression, and mythological transformation. At its heart lies Theofani’s journey from innocence to experience, as she embraces forbidden desires and rejects conventional expectations. The goblin, with his dual role as seducer and catalyst, embodies the transformative power of desire and the tensions it generates within a restrictive society.

 

The poem also grapples with religious and moral tensions. The ruined Basilica, a sacred space now overtaken by chaotic forces, symbolises the fragility of institutional structures in the face of primal human impulses. The virgins’ secret desires and envy of Theofani highlights the universality of suppressed freedoms, exposing the cracks in a rigidly patriarchal society.

 

Mythology permeates the poem, linking local Cypriot folklore with universal archetypes. Naiads, goblins, and demon gods blur the boundaries between reality and fantasy, reflecting Theofani’s internal journey toward liberation and the broader human quest for transcendence.

 

Analysis of the Verse

 

The poem’s free-verse structure enhances its surreal and fluid quality, mirroring the transformative waters of the river. The lack of strict rhyme or metre allows the narrative to flow naturally, capturing the spontaneity and chaos of Theofani’s experiences. The interplay of short, evocative phrases with longer, descriptive passages create a rhythm that oscillates between urgency and reflection.

 

The poem’s imagery is strikingly vivid, with the recurring motif of water symbolising change, chaos, and emotional depth. The "maroon horizon" and "scarlet day" employ colour to evoke transition and passion, while the ruined Basilica and sullied apples anchor the poem in a symbolic landscape of rebellion and decay.

 

Analysis of the Symbolism

 

Symbolism saturates "Theofani," enriching its narrative with layers of meaning. The river serves as a liminal space, a boundary between the mundane and the mystical, while the naiads and goblin represent the allure and danger of the supernatural. The sullied apples, a nod to Biblical transgression, are reinterpreted within the context of rebellion against ecclesiastical authority, adding a layer of irony to the poem’s religious undertones.

 

The Basilica, once a site of sacred worship, becomes a symbol of societal decay and transformation. The demon gods’ triumphant entry signifies a reclamation of this space by chaotic, primal forces, challenging traditional notions of sanctity and order. The goblin’s hold on Theofani, both physical and emotional, symbolises the complex interplay of freedom and submission inherent in her transformation.

 

Main Poetic Imagery

 

The poem’s imagery is both surreal and visceral, drawing the reader into its dreamlike narrative. Theofani’s pirouette on the bridge evokes a sense of freedom and defiance, while the naiads’ embrace and the goblin’s seductive chant underscore the poem’s themes of temptation and transformation. The use of colour—particularly the maroon horizon and scarlet day—imbues the narrative with a visual intensity that mirrors Theofani’s emotional journey.

 

Other images, such as the ruined Basilica and the sour bishop’s garden, anchor the poem in a symbolic landscape of rebellion, decay, and renewal. The goblin’s crimson wings and the virgins’ wild gallop further enrich the poem’s visual tapestry, creating a world where the mystical and the earthly coexist.

 

Religious Symbolism Impact

 

Religious symbolism is deeply embedded in "Theofani," shaping its narrative and themes. The sullied apples, a subversion of the Biblical story of Eden, challenge traditional notions of sin and redemption. The ruined Basilica, a former site of sacred worship, becomes a symbol of the collapse of religious authority in the face of human desire and rebellion.

 

The demon gods, as embodiments of chaotic forces, stand in stark contrast to the order and sanctity traditionally associated with religious spaces. Their triumphant entry into the Basilica signals a shift in power, as Theofani and her world are drawn into a realm where primal instincts and spiritual transcendence converge.

 

The poem’s religious symbolism serves to highlight the tensions between societal norms and individual freedom, tradition and transformation. Through its vivid imagery and intricate narrative, "Theofani" invites readers to reflect on the complexities of human desire, rebellion, and spiritual awakening, making it a compelling addition to the collection "Cyprus Poems" and a profound contribution to Cyprus poetry.

31 views

Comments

Rated 0 out of 5 stars.
No ratings yet

Add a rating
bottom of page