Sunday, January 29, 2012

Sahara









By Vilson Blloshmi


Sahara, away is Sahara far,

Sahara of rocks, stones and sand

Only her name befriended by

Having no vision, has no plants.

Sahara has no dreams in mind.

Only stones grind inside her head...

Sahara can’t even a song find,

No tears to weep for all her dead.

Sahara in world has no friends,

Sahara has no children to fret

Sahara is a piece of land,

Quarrels all night, the news has spread.

Night in Sahara hates to fall,

It can't stand its stony mat;

There is no love, or chat, or soul;

Her black veil has nothing to wrap.

No one knows why earth was swayed

This injury on its back to hold,

On purpose created was, they state

To make it a curse to nations all.

When of her, he awfully speaks;

Sahara eavesdrops and snorts;

Sahara feels being so pleased

When among us we curses drop.

And when sunbeam timidly lies

On mossless stones reflecting bright;

Like a veil looks shrouded sky,

To desert lightning with burning light.

Therefore when deep and fiery hatred

Blasting, abusing, someone befalls,

Looms memory intoxicated

For help Sahara promptly it calls.

When evil curse its rage exhausts,

Away in time memory fades...

When rising sun thaws piercing frost

Forlorn wasteland feels desolate.


Translated from The Albanian by Hilda M. Xhepa

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Martyred Kosova


by PĂ«llumb Lamaj


Hundred years down is freedom tree cut

Its roots hold the plant firm in our Nation

Each day watered was with martyrs’ blood

Kosova raised its seedlings in generations.



Hundred years down was National Flag cut

Its pieces torn with thousands knives are

Alive remains Shote Galica in our hearts

Forever Shaban Polluzha, Xhem Gostivar.


One hundred years fought boldly Kosova

On no account laid down arms, Shqiptari

Out calls loudly fearless, ethnic Albania

Forever blessed be the hero Adem Jashari.


In freedom forward martyred Kosova takes

En route with longing eyes for tree Mother

The clock is ticking for fearless Illyrian race

Who is a man gets to his feet today or never...!


USA February 2011


Translated from The Albanian by Hilda M. Xhepa