i can say that

the first sound was singing.

The second was Greek.

Before that Elytis, Seferis

before that Sappho, singing—

before that Homer.

Here’s what I remember:

sitting at my mother’s feet

to learn the Orthodox

plea of faith

syllable by syllable.

I can say that my first word was no.

It’s 6am in Cincinnati—

how I sigh

as I write these words—

how I hold my breath.

I can say I recited six Greek

words for love,

one Greek name for maker—

I recited prayers in reverse:

before that, declaration.

Faith. And no faith.

As though my breath were a syllable

I could not lose.

Then came singing.

Then comes yes.

—after Sharon Olds

Anastasia Vassos is the author of "Nike Adjusting Her Sandal" (Nixes Mate, 2021) and the chapbook "Nostos" (Kelsay Books, 2023. "Nostos" (under a different title) was named a finalist in Two Sylvias’ and Headlight Review’s Chapbook Contests. Her poems appear in Thrush, SWWIM, RHINO, Whale Road Review and elsewhere. She speaks three languages and lives in Boston.