Poetry For Now

Truthful, humorous and insightful poetry to uplift and brighten your day. Hosted and written by Martin Strasmore. The resounding gongs, played by Kassandra Strasmore, offer an experience of peace and tranquility. Good poetry can open up the mind and heart to new ways of seeing the world, accepting difficulties and embracing opportunities for transformation. Each episode is intended to support and uplift the world and to renew our respect for each other and nature.

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Poetry For Now

A GREEK ODYSSEY

November 17, 2022 • Martin Strasmore • Season 3 • Episode 2

My grandmother was born when travel was by horse and carriage and lived to experience jet planes. I never ceased to be amazed by the easeful transformation of time and space experienced through air plane travel. This podcast shares our experiences of this in Greece in August 2022
The Odyssey Starts --We wake up in another world
Island Memories -Brilliant bleach-white boxy houses
Magnificence and Myths - Democracy .. Medicine ..The Hippocratic Oath ..Asklepios .. Hygeia and Panacea ....

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A GREEK ODYSSEY: My grandmother was born when travel was by horse and carriage and lived to experience jet planes. I never ceased to be amazed by the easeful transformation of time and space experienced through air plane travel. This podcast shares our experiences of this in Greece and Ireland.

The Odyssey Starts

We wake up in another world and I remember

at 10 years old I was supposed to learn

This strange language with hieroglyphics

now everywhere on unintelligible street signs.

As quickly as possible we leave

The sounds and smells, of a hot crowded city

onto the 4 hour train to Thessaloniki

entertained and educated by a fellow traveller.

Permanently disappointed by Greek politicians

She revels in this country’s well earned freedom,

Its history, mythology and culture of joyful optimism

We are better prepared for the experiences to come.

Tired and happy in Thessaloniki

a bright friendly coastal town

our first delicious greek meal

in a bustling outdoor restaurant.

Climbing the stairway to heaven

sleep comes easily

even as the thumping disco music

reaches up into our room all night.

Walking around through centuries of history

roman ruins, byzantine churches,

ancient greek columns

The relaxed outdoor cafe

overlooking the archeologists

carefully revealing roman mosaic floor.

The powerful fresh lemonade

puckers my lips

as a sugar packet makes me smile

with these messages :

The beauty around us,

Things that have stories.

Moments that have meaning,

Objects that inspire.

Our hotel signs delight too:

Not now,
disturbed enough

we are time traveling

Warning in the elevator

4 persons max, or

1500 kalamaki sandwiches

302 3 month kittens

5 baby giraffes.

Enjoying museums that tell stories

of changing occupiers and cultures

churches with saints' relics

icons embedded with gold and silver.

Ending our wondering days in the family restaurant.

unimaginably delicious fresh salads

sparkling, freshly caught grilled sardines

delightful greek wines and cool beers,

We leave Thessaloniki reluctantly

heading for the bigger city.

ISLAND MEMORIES

Brilliant bleach-white boxy houses

jumbled into anti-pirate mazes

Now Mykonos is hedonists heaven

where partying nights never end

Bright purple bougainvilleas

multicolored doors and doorframes

strolling cats and corner churches

old men puffing outside tavernas

Ever friendly and helpful

warm hearted and relaxed

narrow car free alleys

preserve time and space

where we are free of busyness

to hang out in Aegean sun and wind

In Minos, the spontaneous generous ride

hanging onto Spiro’s motorbike

over the hills back to the beach cafe

my shorts still lay there with ID and money.

No hesitation no expectation of reward

just helping out the forgetful panicked tourist

there is warmth in the greek sun and people

as clear as the Aegean water.

The gentle reassurance

we all make mistakes

we all forget things now and then

drink up and enjoy being here

In the ancient land of Greece.

MAGNIFICENCE AND MYTHS

Democracy

Medicine and

The Hippocratic Oath

Asklepios god of healing

Hygeia and Panacea

The holy snakes

The Oracles of Delphi

The Olympic games

Tragedy and comedy

Great amphitheatres

Oozo and Retsina

Wash it all down

Mythology and history,

Part of a great mystery

many temples to Zeus

Apollo and Athena

Monuments to visionaries

Artists and builders

Statues of philosophers

emperors and politicians

Artworks in stone fell apart

With Earthquakes and invasions

Fluted columns tumbled

As the civilization crumbled

Later

Above the plains of Thessaly

The monasteries of Meteora

Monks and Nuns suspended in air

Prayers and chants echoed there

Romans and Turks Left their mark

never dampening the peoples spark

A Hundred years ago Greece broke free