Konstantinos Konstantinidis – Amphiktyon
This gulf is a jewel of the world,
surrounded by places of breathtaking beauty,
and by the renowned Petalidi,
one of Nature’s priceless treasures.
Here vegetation flourishes in abundance,
flowers fill the air with fragrance,
and every landscape is idyllic and enchanting;
a land of myth and history,
endowed with unique significance.
Here lies Paradise—
the Elysian Fields of ancient memory.
From these very harbors
King Nestor sailed to Troy.
From this land the torch of freedom was lit.
“FREEDOM OR DEATH”
was written upon the banner,
and thus arrived that historic day.
Before us the sea sparkles,
changing its face from moment to moment,
refreshing both body and soul.
The life-giving breeze of the Ionian Sea
drives away the summer heat.
Across the gulf rise Mount Taygetus and Mani,
wild and majestic,
like the throne of Zeus himself,
symbols of freedom and courage.
No Turkish foot ever trod these sacred lands.
Everywhere stand places of sacrifice,
prehistoric monuments,
and the tombs of our ancestors,
worthy of reverence and remembrance.
On Taygetus’ highest peak
a radiant pyramid seems to rise.
Only eagles soar so high,
while the guardians of our homeland,
the fearless aviators,
cross the skies each day,
protecting the nation
even through the fiercest storms,
with the shield of the Aegean in worthy hands.
From here Nikitaras
and Theodoros Kolokotronis marched forth.
Their swords seemed to grow wings,
bringing down the tyrant.
Two seagulls rest upon the rocks,
and the male sings tender verses
to his beloved mate.
Here the flowers bear heavenly colors,
every shade of the rainbow
painted upon a golden canvas.
When darkness falls,
the sea becomes calm.
Everything falls asleep,
and silence embraces the land.
Only the mosquitoes
set out on their nightly safari.
Paradise has its price;
nothing is ever given for free.
An owl pierces the silence,
while the mournful scops owl,
returning from Central Africa,
laments Persephone.
Only man remains awake.
Long after midnight
he still refuses his bed.
Violating Nature,
he rushes endlessly,
eager to seize everything,
to enjoy it all without restraint.
Even upon the highway,
risking death itself,
his inseparable companion—
his irresistible temptation—
is the mobile phone.
What, indeed,
is the true price of everything?
The animal kingdom obeys Nature’s laws.
Only man breaks them,
despising the moral order
through arrogance and defiance.
He believes himself
master of the Earth,
a superhuman being.
Yet his own deeds reduce him
to something less than human—
a tiny creature
struggling through technology
to escape chaos,
while shamelessly trampling
the laws of Nature.
Once, however,
he lived as a hunter and gatherer,
respecting Nature’s order,
for he himself belonged to it.
Reason elevated him
to become steward of creation.
But arrogance,
selfishness,
greed,
and authoritarian pride
have made him foolish, lawless and cruel,
unjust, immoral and cowardly,
like Thersites of old.
He saws off the branch
upon which he stands,
for he lacks the moral courage
to reconcile himself with Nature.
Here the Muses dance
to violins, zournas,
drums and clarinets.
Here the birds sing,
and the beautiful goldfinch
fills the air with melody.
The roasted suckling pig is delicious.
On the Feast of the Assumption,
every village comes alive with celebration.
Dionysus, the divine cupbearer, smiles,
while young men and maidens
dance to traditional songs.
The Messenian Gulf
is an earthly paradise.
Beyond, in the depths of the Ionian Sea,
lies the abyss.
Now a drilling vessel
searches for oil and natural gas.
If this serves the good
of humanity and the environment,
let us give thanks to God.
But if it brings disaster,
may the People themselves
do what must be done.
14 July 2026
Amphiktyon
Lieutenant General (Ret.), Author
M Amphiktyon Blog: http://www.amphiktyon.blogspot.com
Amphiktyon Official Site: http://www.amphiktyon.org
ember of the Hellenic Society of Writ