Statue of Liberty

by Pellumb Lamaj

Ah, statue, statue of liberty,

How many youth dreams withered our wrinkle forehead,

How many echoes of love were washed out hopelessly,

How many martyrs’ skulls with no burial were left.    

Ah, statue, statue of liberty,

The only beam of light, the merely ardent fire,

The purely pleasant dream of our spiritual journey,

Of hopes mixed with moans and bloodstained attire.

Ah, statue, statue of liberty,

The only in hell hope keeps us alive through,

Yet if we perish here not getting together free,

Our murderers, trust me, will come and cuddle you.  

Spaç 1979 


Translated from The Albanian by Hilda M. Xhepa