by Yannis Ritsos | translated by Minas Savvas
The dog held the bird by the wing.
On the rock dripped small circles of blood.
The hunter was lying on the grass—he was handsome—
a red hole on his temple. The dog stood over him, staring with grief—
he wouldn’t drop the bird from his teeth.
Yannis Ritsos (1909–1990) was a prominent Greek poet known for his innovative and evocative verse. Born in Monemvasia, Greece, Ritsos’s work spans a wide range of themes, from personal introspection to social and political commentary. His notable collections include Strophe (1934) and Epitaphios (1936), the latter reflecting his response to the Greek Civil War. Ritsos was associated with the Greek surrealist and modernist movements, often employing a lyrical and symbolic style. Despite facing political persecution and imprisonment, his writing remained influential, earning him widespread recognition and numerous literary awards, including the Lenin Peace Prize.
Minas Savvas (1937-2025) was a professor at San Diego State University in the Department of English and Comparative Literature. He held several degrees: Ph.D. 1970 University of California, Santa Barbara (English) M.A. 1965 University of Illinois (English) B.A. 1963 University of Illinois (English). His principal publications were: “Peculiar Gestures” poems by Yannis Ritsos, translated and with commentary by Minas Savvas, and supplemental prefatory essays by Vasilis Vasilikos and Louis Aragon. The House Vacated (translations of Yannis Ritsos). Parentheses Series, 1989. Subterranean Horses (translations of Yannis Ritsos). Ohio University Press, 1980. Chronicle of Exile (translated and with an introduction to Yannis Ritsos’ verse). Wire Press, 1975. Scars and Smiles. Athens: Diogenes Press, 1975 (poetry collection). Over 180 items of translation in journals, including New York Review of Books, Antaeus, TriQuarterly, etc. Over 30 articles and 110 reviews in publications such as Yale Review, Chicago Review, Literary Review, etc.