Jail Cell

by Pellumb Lamaj

Inside the four walls,

Besieged by pitch darkness,

My braving body crawls,

Can’t tell when sun rises.

Within the four walls,

Worn out of loneliness,

Surrounded by ghouls,

Of prison cell darkness.

Inside the four walls,

Lie down on ground frosty,

Waiting when night falls,

To turn to God Almighty.

Within the four walls,

In silent night sadden,

I wait in vain the Lord,

He is high up in heaven.

Spaç 1979


Translated from The Albanian by Hilda M. Xhepa