Tag: poem

“The New Year” by Misak Metsarents

Chris KhatschLeave a comment

Misak Metsarents (1886-1908) was a Western Armenian neo-romantic poet. This is my translation of “The New Year” from Armenian to English.

The New Year

Tonight, the well-dressed and adorned new year
Waits for the morning light with great zeal;
Spirits forever stole the year
From our embrace the familiar voices of the old one.

The new year’s gift, the bright moonlight
Is draped on all the mountains of the village;
The songs of the old, the cries of the young
echo erratically with strong, discernible timbres.

A series of desires gripping the heart
Shake it fiercely with fiery emotions;
Ignited by these unquenchable emotions,
The burning hearts pound with longing.

In the silence of the night’s final moments
The sounds and illuminations slowly fade;
And wearing the fine linen made of the blue arch
The well-dressed new year enters the decorated world.

Smoking an Avo Heritage Robusto in Lebanon

Have a Cigar: Avo Heritage Robusto

Chris Khatsch1 Comment

Name: Avo Heritage Robusto

Country: Dominican Republic

Shape: Parejo

Size: Robusto (4 7/8 inches x 50)

Strength: Medium to Full

Finally, after a long day, a short break.

I need an earthquake
to shake me out of work
this evening.

What a day.

I’m glad I managed to escape
the world
to come here and hide
on the roof of a six-story building.

All I want to do is burn a cigar,
watch the smoke rise,
and listen to the fire crawl.

I’ve got nothing to say
other than I’ve got nowhere to be,
no one to see.

I’m here alone
to be alone.

Finally, after a long day, a short break.

Cohiba Maduro 5 Genios paired with Lagavulin 16

Have a Cigar: Cohiba Maduro 5 Genios

Chris Khatsch1 Comment

Name: Cohiba Maduro 5 Genios

Country: Cuba

Shape: Parejo

Size: Robusto Extra (5 1/2 inches x 52)

Strength: Medium to Full

When you can celebrate,
celebrate.

What can I say?

This life is for rent.
It will be over
sooner than you’d like.
So don’t waste it on stupid things,
and don’t work too hard.
You cannot buy eternity
no matter how rich you are.

I’m not sure what it cost us
to be born.
But we must have paid a high price
to rent our lives.
So make the best of it.
Time isn’t cheap. And
if you can celebrate,
celebrate.

What more can I say?

When your time is up, it is up.
You just drop.
You won’t get that five more minutes to say
I love you or goodbye.

That’s what I learned from dad.
I was at work when I got the call.
It was already
game over. Adios.
Bye-bye, daddio.

What can I say?

I miss the man.
We could have had more beers together.
We could have talked more,
hugged more,
celebrated more.

But he’s gone now.
So, game over. Adios.

You never get to say goodbye.

Never mind.
Never mind.

When you can celebrate,
celebrate.
Don’t wait for occasions.
Don’t try to make things perfect,
it’s a waste of time.

A good smoke, a good drink,
and a few good memories
are all you need.

Yeah, I have many good memories
and tonight I celebrate with them.

Cheers, dad.