What ignited but wasn’t extinguished, like a stream flowing into me, you embed yourself in my flesh, And I in you… through enchantments, we mesh!
Asja Mulgeci, a poetess from Albania shares her three beautiful poems
Asja Mulgeci was born on December 18, 1970 in Tropoja. She continued her higher studies after she got married, in the Merceology branch (textile engineering) by correspondence. Her great passion has been the genre of music, but unfortunately due to the mentality of that time, her dream of singing was cut short. One of her passions was also aesthetics and as a result she graduated from the High Institute of Beauty “Frontera”, the first of its kind in Albania at that time. Asja’s other great passion was poetry, which she noticed in her youth but dared to write very late. While two other books are in the process of being published, until now Asja has published three volumes of poetry and prose: Enchanted by Lyric Waves, Climbing in Dreams, and The Pearls of my Soul.
WHAT IGNITED BUT WASN’T EXTINGUISHED
Because I love you and you love me,
Because we sparked and embraced fiercely,
I wrap tendrils around you,
You encircle me, binding tightly too.
Ignite and extinguish, flame and fire,
What you give me and what I desire,
I don’t know why I drown in a drop of water,
I yearn to kiss you… I don’t know why I falter.
As your lips ignite like volcanoes,
The lava of your neck slowly flows,
Between two apples, the path sings,
Their scent drives me to mad imaginings.
How our bodies intertwine,
Melt and freeze like morning dew,
As we speak, I don’t know what we say,
We see the world in each other’s gaze.
What ignited but wasn’t extinguished,
Like a stream flowing into me,
You embed yourself in my flesh,
And I in you… through enchantments, we mesh!
***
ENGRAVING UPON SKIN
In a dizzying haze, rainbow hues etched upon your face,
Innocent kisses exchanged, gazes tracing the lace,
Oh, how sweet it all seemed to me…
From that very evening, you anchored yourself to me,
A sun complete, without a cloud in sight,
Radiance you took, adorned in emerald light for the night.
Golden shimmer upon your skin, flames dancing bright,
As the sun kissed your cheek, the shirt you wore alight,
Adorning horizons like a warrior with might,
As I traced the pen of love between our fingers, right.
Engraving upon skin, with brush and hue,
Such skill, only the soul can imbue,
With purpose, you became my muse, through and through.
So, you cannot see, as I have painted you upon this canvas, propped against the wall,
As I immerse myself in pain whenever I don’t see you at all,
Can’t touch you with my hand, I stall,
Growing cold like a monk, in snowfall, snowfall,
What a selfish lover, after all…
Yet, still, you embrace me with your soul,
Tenderly, gently,
Even amidst the turmoil of weather, you remain whole,
Love of the heart, it doesn’t slay, but rather, frees.
***
HE DIDN’T CARE FOR HER FLAWS
In the sweet embrace of twilight’s hue,
A woman’s essence burns fervent in the air,
Her eyes akin to oracles, oh, how they glare,
Her neck, a graceful stem stretching far and true,
Curves of innocence sway in her chest, anew.
Like dewdrops glistening, cascading down her spine,
As snow upon the mountain, she bears her suffering line,
Petals of passion intertwine.
In ivory sheets, her body laid bare,
A sculpture divine,
In whispers transformed, every desire, every care,
A captivating essence, a gaze benign.
Admirers circle, drawn to her flame,
Envy in their gaze, a covetous claim,
Imbibing bitterness in nicotine’s name,
Though never the same.
What fate for that rare lad,
Rarely seen, a runaway from the sea,
Caught in the same snare,
Wedded to fortune, a bridegroom’s decree.
He didn’t care for her flaws,
Pure in her essence, unveiled and sure,
Nectar sweet upon crimson lips, allure.
Born within the fabric of destiny’s thread,
Enveloped in her spirit, her love widespread,
Within the heart, love’s tapestry spread,
As an heirloom, in her trust, she led.
(Translation in English by Ukë Zenel Buçpapaj)
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Prepared by Angela Kosta Academic, journalist, writer, poet, essayist, literary critic, editor, translator
