TRIFON XHAGJIKA
(1932-1963)

 

Trifon Xhagjika (pronounced 'Dzajika') came from 'humble origins' in the village of Zagoria near Gjirokastër. Under the communist régime he was able to get to university in Tirana, and went on from there to an administrative job in the army. He was arrested in 1963 together with members of a Communist youth group and was executed by firing-squad. Although poetry was his passion, very little of his work was published, and much has been lost. Some were published in 1994 under the title ATDHEU ESHTË LAKURIQ (My Fatherland is Naked).

 

MY FATHERLAND IS NAKED

translated by Zana Banci and Anthony Weir

I can't,
I can't,
I can't.

I saw my fatherland
naked,
alone and friendless
trying to cut a laurel-crown
from the glory of centuries.

My fatherland was not a child
But he was so small
He couldn't cut the branch.

I took him by the hand
To grow him in my heart.

Brothers,
If you are looking for him
I have him here.

Help me to be happy.
My fatherland is naked.

(1963)

 

Albanian Version

ATDHEU ESHTË LAKURIQ

Nuk mundem,
nuk mundem,
nuk mundem.

E pashë Atdheun lakuriq,
(vetëm, pa miq e shokë)
mundohej te kepuste nje dege dafine
nga lavdia e shekujve.

Atdheun e dija te rritur,
Por sa i vogel qenka !
As nje dege nuk e kepustë dot.

E mora për dore
ta rrit ne zemren time...
Vellezer:
Po e kerkuat Atdheun,
e kam unë.

Ndihmomeni te qesh.
Ndihmomeni te gezoj.
Atdheu eshtë lakuriq!

 

 

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