Misak Metsarents (1886-1908) was a Western Armenian neo-romantic poet. This is my translation of “Sleep” from Armenian to English. It was written sometime between 1901 and 1903.

Sleep

A cold, quivering Fall
is panting in my soul.
The night falls. The book of life
cries page after page.

Sickly shivers
and feeble murmurs
fade in, fade out
in a feverish requiem.

And — poor snowbound lyre! —
my brave heart goes silent,
and even the saddle horse leaves.
Only the quivering comes to bring

suffering and pain.
My longed for flowers aren’t here.
The fragrance and enthusiasm aren’t here…