HOVANNES TOUMANYAN'S POETRY
( 1896 - 1923 )

IT’S NOT GOING TO BE THE SAME
( An Ancient Story )

Translated from Armenian by Daniel Janoyan
Glendale, July 23, 1997

Once upon a time, who knows for sure
What is guaranteed in this world of ours?
There is only one thing that lasts for sure
And that is, "There is nothing guaranteed in this world of ours."

There was a man who was a peasant;
A poor man indeed, barely from day to day surviving.
This peasant happened to have a well-behaved son
Who as a servant to someone he trusted.

Years passed by and this well-behaved son
Served his master so well and so honestly
That he soon got a raise and was deserving;
His master looked upon him just like his son.

And one day the father remembered his son
And he went over to visit his son.
"How are you , my boy, I hope you’re no more naked and hungry any more!"
"No, I’m just fine, Dad, I have a living now;
But what can one do if it’s not going to stay the same?"

And the father left and years passed by;
The boy progressed as days passed by
And he got promoted and to the palace assigned,
Soon to become the servant of the almighty king.

One day the father remembered his son
And he went over to visit his son:
"Tell me, how are you my son? What else do you want?
You are already swimming in this abundant sea!"
"That’s right. I am full, Dad. You go home in peace!
But what can one do if it’s not going to stay the same?"

And the father left and years passed by.
Our clever boy got admired so much
That the king made him second to him
And all his kingdom to inherit!

And one day the father remembered his son
And he went over to visit his son:
"Tell me, how are you my son? What else do you want?
Everybody now lives by your own word and order!"
"That’s right. I’m great, father. I’m already the boss.
But what can one do if it’s not going to stay the same?"

And the father left and years passed by.
And the elderly king of this good country
Fell down and died without leaving an heir behind.
The whole world and treasures were left unclaimed behind.
The top officials of the country got together.
They met together and together they decided to get this clever boy
And in glory announced him to be their king!

And one day the peasant father heard
That his son had become a king indeed!
And he went over to visit his son:
"Son, what else do you lack?
You are the only one living in this whole world!"
"Thank God, Dad. I own the crown and the throne!
But what can one do if it’s not going to stay the same?"

And the father left and years passed by.
The newly appointed king residing on his throne
Determined life and death issues, having the whole world within his rule,
Regardless of the fact that he is also one day going
To leave the whole living world to the world itself
And become mortal and end his own soul.

And one day the old father heard
His son, the king, is no longer living!
He could not believe it and went over to find out for himself!
One can’t imagine the grief and the weeping!
The whole world took part in military parades and buried the king
In honor and festive and on their way back home they continued to gossip.

Years passed by and the father for once
Came to visit his son’s grave,
Came to see his son’s marble tomb stone,
And on it inscribed, "It’s not going to stay the same."

And the father left. Years passed by.
Who could ever demand an account….?
From that day on and forever to come
The saying goes on, "It’s not going to stay the same."
The king’s beautiful statue stands no more.
Ours is this world and so is this life.
But neither is our world going to stay the same nor is our life.



AN OLD TIME BLESSING

Translated from Armenian by Daniel Janoyan
Glendale, Sept. 12, 1996
 
Under a green giant tree
Our giant grandfathers and fathers alike,
Our village masters
Were sitting in a circle and playing alike.

While we, the three classmates,
Strong and energetic village children,
We were standing in front of them
Crying and screaming with all our might,
Supposedly singing.

When the happy melodies of our song ended
The serious ring leader twisted his moustache
And our elderly raised their glasses that were full , blessing us aloud,
"Long live lovely kids, but don’t live like we did."

Time passed by and our parents passed away;
Our happy songs began to sound sad;
Then I remembered those very days
Why when blessing us, our parents had said,
"Long live lovely kids, but don’t live like we did."

Peace be unto you, our most unfortunate fathers.
The pain that had tortured you, has struck us, too.
On happy occasions and during sad times
We too are repeating your very own words when blessing our children,
"Long live lovely kids, but don’t live like we did."


 
LONGING

Translated from Armenian by Daniel Janoyan
Glendale, September 19, 1996
 
 I do miss you
O queen of my heart !

What would happen
If for only once you appear
Never mind if then again
You will soon disappear,
Just like a short dream of a night does.

I need only to see
Your picture once more
Simply to tell you
How much I miss you !



IF YOU VISIT ME AT MY GRAVE

Translated from Armenian by Daniel Janoyan
Glendale, September 24, 1996
 
If one day, my dear friend,
You visit me at my grave,
And you do find fresh flowers
Newly planted around my grave,
Don’t ever take them to be
Regular flowers under your feet,
Or that Spring has just brought them
To decorate my new dwelling.

Those are my songs that have never been sung,
Carried away in my heart with me.
Those were verses of love,
Which I had no chance to recite before I died.
Those were warm kisses sent down from a universe
And whose roads were shut down by my very grave.

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