Manto Aravantinou
From "First Writing"
I ignore my face. I move as being drowned. I make invisible circles. I hover in space. I penetrate immaterial forms. I complete my full form. [......................... ] Not heard, not seen, it was not. It was only a desert and the endless time. The Absent denying all memory. The Absent denying immediate time. The Absent refused me. No, fate was designated in advance. The Absent did not refuse. [..........................................] I am the only witness of my gender. A self-appointed unique witness. Indifferent witness. Lonely witness. A witness not sought. Witness not asked. The witness blocks the view. The witness must leave.
From "Second Writing"
How many parallels? Only parallels - How many verticals? Only verticals - How many corners? Only corners. How many straight lines? Only straight lines. Corners and edges. Corners and verticals. Only verticals. How many verticals? Many horizontals. Successive horizontals in my memory plan. Angles many angles. Obtuse in many verticals. Again parallel - How many parallels? Many parallels. Again straight lines. How many sidelines are missing? Sidelines. Only sidelines. Again parallel. Only parallel. How many? Only sidelines? No sidelines. Only sidelines are missing. How many sidelines are missing and rounds? Only rounds. Many successive rounds. But how many? How many sidelines are missing? Many parallels. Only? Many parallels. How many? Many parallels. How many parallel? How many?
(Transl. Panos Bosnakis)