Levon Shant (1869-1951) was an Armenian poet, playwright, and novelist. This is my translation of “An Arrow” from Armenian to English.
Your stare is an arrow forged by lightning
with which you pierce into the blackness of my eyes
like a fiery ray from the sun
penetrating the darkness of the deep cave.
And your playful body boils in my arms
when it touches my excited chest,
when my lips, with the flame of longing,
write my love on your cheeks.
Levon Shant (1869-1951) was an Armenian poet, playwright, and novelist. This is my translation of “Philosophers” from Armenian to English.
Philosophers
Under the bright full moon,
in the distance, in the bosom of the field,
white, hunchbacked mountains
lean on each other’s heads.
Mountains? Who said so? They’re
grey-haired, brooding ravens
that have come together
wrapped in sheets.
And their serious, ugly faces
are lost in deep thought.
Maybe they’ll find the meaning
of being and the world.
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…
Bored Absurdist 