This short story obviously will not move you as much as it may to a person of Greek Heritage. As a first generation greek person living in Australia because of parents who survived WWII and wanted to make a better life for themselves, I am feircely proud of my heritage. March 25th was Greek Independance Day, which is important, especially to our community for when the greeks stood up to those who had enslaved them and said 'OXI' (pronounced ohi) which means, 'NO'. No, you will not take us over, no you will not see us fall.

I hope that whoever comes across this takes time to reflect about war, and what it can do. Though war is a bad thing, and kills many innocent people, it brings those who survived together, and together they grow stronger.

This is my own original type of recount on what Greece, the land has seen and suffered. This piece, was originally written by me a week ago, in Greek and so I have had to translate it, which means more poignant ideas and phrases have been lost in the translation. I plan to use it as a starting point for my Drama assessment in my HSC next year. It's something close to my heart, I hope you enjoy reading it, and hopefully no one of German, Italian or Turkish descent will be offended by this, because that is not my intention. Please do not steal my work, Thankyou.



OXI

Not one part of the land has been spared of blood shed.

Modern society has built on the foundations of the occupied peoples of the great ancient land. We gave light to the world. History has been carved in the stone, in the spirits of the great great grandchildren, in the song and dance and in the clear mountain air that invigorates. Memories lie in the mountains, in the beauteous olive tree. Tales of innocents and soldiers silenced by the blasting of cannon like fire, by the shackles of slavery and subservience.

Not one part of the land has been spared of blood shed.

'OXI'

We say, standing up for what we believe in.

'OXI'

A better future and the promise of Hope.

'OXI'


It started with and empire, foreigners expanding from the east, taking all they could. In the churches we survived, the shrines to the Virgin mother, the claice of christ, our only sanctuary. Secret passageways into the mountains. Secret meetings held in a hidden room, to unite those who would never give in. Priests teaching the children the language and the history of the people. The love for the country, no one should ever forget.

Not one part of the land has been spared of blood shed.

'OXI'

We say, standing up for what we believe in.

'OXI'

A better future and the promise of Hope.

'OXI'

The end of an Empire. We thought we were free. We returned to our lives, came out of hiding, welcoming those who were products of the occupation back into society. The outcasts and the heros building anew. 1939: We were wrong.

False hope. The tanks passed the borders, slinking in from the North. The Germans came, then the Italians, the quiet neighbours, under a dictator who wanted power. Not all the soldiers were as cruel as the man they bled for. Some offered the starving children biscuits in sincerity, though no child dared accept the generosity, in fear of their lives. My father was such a child. Better to die starving, and fighting to the death. Then submitting to foreign powers, dying a coward and a betrayer.

Not one part of the land has been spared of blood shed.

The dictator died. The world saw terror in its radical form and hoped to never witness it again. The armies poured out of the country, leaving behind a broken people, leaderless, under a monarchy that helped them not.

Women cry, pulling at their hair, waiting for husbands and children that will never return to their arms. Waiting for an absoultion which will never come in this life.

'Ερχετε η αστινομεια! Τακι! Τακι! Φιγε! Φιγε τωρα!"*

Our hero, defeated by the government. Beheaded, his corpse a spectacle for anyone who dared to oppose, as he had.

Not on part of the land has been spared of blood shed.

The legacy remains. It should never be forgotten. Remember, Remember.

'OXI'

We say, standing up for what we believe in.

'OXI'

A better future and the promise of Hope.

'OXI'

The legacy lives on in the great great grandchildren. Brave souls crossing the endless seas to start a life in newer countrie, one's that haven't seen as many wars.

'OXI'

The legacy is remembered by their grandchildren.

American Greeks Remember
Canadian Greeks Remember
Australian Greeks Remember
Greeks Remember

'OXI'

We have decided not to die.


:heartbeat: Pat

* The police is coming, Peter. Leave, leave now.

Bella...what can I say? You have brought me to tears yet again. You write so powerfully and with such beauty. You can make me howl with laughter or burst with tears. You have such an amazing talent. The way you write is truly beautiful and awe inspiring, thankyou for sharing that with us. I cannot believe that no one has replied to this!! Know that I love it, and love you!

Chloe xxx

Incredible. Chilling. Stirring. Dramatic. Devine.

This wasvery intense and very good.
You have a very good style and a great ability to convey emotions.
I am constanly amazed by how many great writers there are on this forum,and you, my dear, are defenitely one of them.

I don't think there's anyone who can move people as you can, bella. That was chilling, marvelous, amazing. Awe-inspiring. Are there even words to describe it, really? You really make me wish I understood Greek, to see the original phrasing, nothing lost in translation.

:hug:

You amaze me.

:hug: It really is truly an honour to write poems, stories, whatever you like for all you ladies, because I know no matter how intense, off-beat, or dark my writing can be sometimes, you still read it and enjoy it and that is worth the world, especially when I'm feeling very anxious as to if I'll make it as a journalist. I'm so glad you all read this, because it means that despite cultural differences, this story reflects how humans can grow and how even when we're dead, the things we've done are remembered.

:heartbeat: Pat

P.S Much love to you all.

Wow...this was incredible, Spuddy. You are a master of repetition and use it most deftly to get your point across, each time you repeat it making the words sink deeper into our hearts and in our minds. I'm constantly blown away by how good your writing is, definitely keep this up, you've got the skills and I have the highest confidence in your abilities as a future journalist.

You rock my socks off, Pat. :hug:

*jaw is permenantly dropped*

ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!! :hug:

:shine: That was truly amazing Airefeaiel. You see i am from Greece too and i am impressed and glad for the existence of this kind of ''story-memories''. They are really touching. Μπράβο συμπατριώτισα. Πολλά φιλιά. Και όλες περιμένουμε κι άλλα νέα σου εεε! :yayay: