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"The Armenian Weekly", Volume 74, No. 18, May 3, 2007

Faith

Years ago, in a dream,
I climbed Masis to reach a cloud,

I grabbed the cloud in endless longing,
And cured my yearning heart.

My heartbeat turned the cloud to water,
And drop by drop, drips of protest
Irrigated the plowed land
Making shoots of justice grow.

I have a claim—I do believe
In the dawn of my Armenian kin,

In their flaring sun, ready to rise,
Their holy struggle, gallant faith,
That shall triumph.

This time, I wish to climb Masis
Via justice to seize the cloud,
Turn it into flower, into coming days’
Edelweiss of hope and radiance
For my Armenian kinsmen.

Of my ramblings, hopes,
Crazy loves,
Only the fantasy
Remains…

Of the wistful days,
The morning dew,
Only a gleam
Remains…

Years, years
Afterwards,

Only the crumbs

Of smashed feelings
Snatched from my soul

Remain

——————— Arminé Minassian
Translated by Tatul Sonentz