MARO
MARKARIAN'S
POETRY
(
1916 ______ ) Translated from Armenian
by Daniel Janoyan O ye Armenian teacher, explain to our children Continue to teach KOMIDASs wisdom The fiery words of CHARENTS and VAROUJAN And so long as you are alive Keep spelling the names of those noble men; Be persistent, o ye weary and heart broken son of MESROB.You taught in Paris and in Los Angeles, Proceed to Adis Ababa and to Damascus, Go to Australia and also to Chicago And see for yourself how great a job You are burdened with, o ye Armenian teacher. And on your way how many crooked lives And how many treacherous and cowardly People did you meet? But regardless, for continuous centuries You kept teaching the truth to people unjust, You have indeed endured very difficult ancient days And therefore I ask you to keep on this way.Keep teaching and denying yourself; Keep strong, never mind if you are tortured So long as you are alive; Continue to live with wise words For the sake of our children And keep giving without any limit Spending generously and receiving very little O ye Armenian teacher, the very first child of ancient Armenia. Return to Armenian Poetry Homepage janoyan@email.com
last updated January 23, 2000 |