When we argue, we become a little,
When we love, we become a lot,
I doubt and I am not convinced, in fact,
How you and I reflect…
Albert Habazaj, a seasoned poet and author from Albania shares his poetry, translated into English by Kujtim Hajdari
Born on March 20, 1960, in Tërbaç-Himarë, Vlorë, Albania, Albert Habazaj is a researcher, bibliographer, poet, and writer, author of several books of poetry, prose, and literary journalism. He is also the author of several historical-cultural monographs and numerous ethnological and anthropological studies. He published the Bibliography of book publications by the faculty of “Ismail Qemali” University, Vlorë (1994-2006), Part 1, and Part 2 (2006-2023). He earned a Master of Science degree in Ethnology and Folklore from the Institute of Cultural Anthropology and Art Studies, Center for Albanological Studies, Tirana. He is included in the Anthology of Selected Stories by Vlorë Authors and the Anthology of Selected Poetry of city of Vlore, in anthologies about Vlorë, the Sea, Naim Frashëri, Mother Teresa, Dritëro Agolli, in anthologies of Albanian poetry with themes of “Muzgut,” (Dusk) in the anthology of Albanian poetry “Lotët e virgjër” (“Virgin Tears”), 2012, published in English in London, and in the literary anthology “Shtigjeve të Vendlindjes: me krijuesit e Himarës” (On the Paths of the Homeland: with the Creators of Himara), among others. Many of his works and poems, especially portraits, dedications, songs of joy, or lament songs, have been included in books by various authors from Vlorë and the country. He is an editor and reviewer of many books by other authors. Currently, he is the president of the “Petro Marko” Writers’ and Artists’ Association in Vlorë. He works at “Ismail Qemali” University in Vlorë, serving as the director of the “Nermin Vlora Falaschi” Scientific Library of this institution. He is preparing for publication the book study “Vlorë Writers and Their Role in Albanian Literature,” Part 1, which includes 20 literary reflections and lectures by the author. His publications include 12 volumes of poetry, 14 volumes of monographs and 7 volumes of scientific monographs.
WHEN WE ARGUE, WE BECOME A LITTLE…
When we argue, we become a little,
When we love, we become a lot,
I doubt and I am not convinced, in fact,
How you and I reflect…
Let’s forget the gray complaints, brothers,
Let’s love tomorrow every day,
Because we need to feel human,
I tore my heart out, lifted it high, and made light…
***
SEA COFFEE WITH POETS
This autumn morning coffee with the poets,
Is longing and purity of snow’s hair;
It surely is a deep, wide sea,
Opposite the beautiful sea of Vlorë.
I do not know any baron, prince, count, or king
Who drinks sea coffee with such flavor;
This morning coffee with the poets
Brings a light with colors of poetry!
***
GREETINGS FROM VLORA
Wet verses from the autumn rains
I dare to send to distant lands;
I fear October, the month of poetry,
As the vineyards tremble to become a phoenix…
The greetings goes to my Ohrid, to your Ohrid,
From the Vlora of Lasgush, to the Pogradec of Asllani;
A sea of greetings I send with all my heart,
For I am the spirit of Labëria of Kosovo, of Elbasan…
It is a pure soul like the dew of April
That shines for what God has blessed;
You have, oh autumn, my life’s synonym
Adorned with sunlit beads of Vlorë.
Autumn, oh beautiful autumn,
I have you like grapes, pomegranates, and peaches…
***
THE LEAVES HAVE FALLEN
The leaves have fallen from our legends,
The yellow leaves have dried,
The legends did not wither,
Their roots were so deep.
Their roots are deep underground,
Beneath the soil of the father, of the mother,
Where the sweetness of song springs forth,
Where the beats of the heart find their rhythm.
The leaves of our legends have fallen,
They released buds, green shoots,
Let us walk on foot, even though it is late,
So as not to fall into dead ends tomorrow.
***
THE FLAMINGOS OF AGRON DINA
Honestly, I called them true
The beautiful Flamingos in Nartë!
I thought to approach them, to touch them with my hand…
The divine brush brought me golden hues.
As they dance ballet in the water, the playful birds,
In their home, in the lagoon,
They captivated me, and like a fool,
I rushed to the painting, to capture the Flamingos.
The image gave me a beautiful shock,
And why not call myself lucky,
To know, to have as a friend Agron Dina,
The aristocratic painter of aristocratic birds.
***
AUTUMNAL SHOWERS
Autumnal showers crease the guilty forehead
To build an attic to autumn, I didn’t get a deal,
With packets of tissues when tears are dried,
Her personality and psychology i reveal.
The night confuses the moon after the rain,
To be a nice girl than, she pretends,
The autumn salutes her celestial friend,
And honey cells fall from the universe.
In autumn, even the snowman in his grey hair,
Looks more beautifully than the others,
Autumnal showers take me away,
As i lift my hands to enfold the star like fires.
Autumn is wary, it bears no lasting rancor,
The edge so kingly the pear’s flagrance leaves,
When Laureates imitate it along the strophes,
Suddenly comes the winter-as the icy- prince.
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