KOZETA ZAVALANI

KOZETA ZAVALANI 

CHEERS!

Cheers!

Beside laid tables, wherever you are,

On grassy meadows amidst blossomed daisies,

Outcast, far from home and hearth

Or somewhere as messenger,

We drink blessed wine.

Under the blazing sun or the cloudy sky

Beneath the bitten moon’s look,

Or her full clear face

Where we’re stalked by the ember-stars

That migrate and start their journey

At times they lose their mind.

Wine imprisons my soul in the sky,

Where caravans of stars

Stampede the eyes

That stare the sky.

I toast for white wine,

Noble, pure and sincere...

And for red wine

Like the Christ’s blood

Eternally crucified in our hearts...

My darling,

You happily drink white and red wine,

I know, you betray me with both of them

Pleased to squeeze the grapes’ bosoms

But I forgive you, and more I love you

Often I get jealous with them,

And close them for years in dungeons, in the dark

And as the years go by

They get younger and more luscious

Everybody fall madly in love with them.

We drink and make love in the dark

Tasting wine alone or in company,

The old wine tastes like a woman,

That has, oh, so sweet coquetry of love...

For your sake my darling,

I toast my full glass for you

And caress its lips

Wholeheartedly,

In the name of the half-world:

Cheers my lover!

TO MY MOTHER ANIKA

That night – ember of stars

Delayed “Anek” the trip from Pireaus

And I couldn’t reach...

Impeded, though

Back I didn’t go...!

Hurry, please – I told them –

Hurry up...!

With the eyes hinged on the opening door

She waits for me

Migrated and yearning with longing

In the ancient island named Crete,

Where embracing sun and sea

Kazanzatkis forever sleeps

Oh, mother!

Through August’s heat

Loaded with pain

And my longing that was burning the sun

I made my way through Pindus,

As once the patriots passed through deers...

I came... I did come that day

With the eternal farewell’s scent

To moisten your lips

To kiss your eyes...

The dawn of each month

Perturbed I am

A knot of sorrow in the throat...

Always pining for you my blessed,

Dear mother

When I am troubled and lost

Like in between waves of a storm

I always seek an advise from you, mother

To reach the shore or some other land.

Turn my head and look for you

And mutter to myself:

Wait to ask my mother!...

“Anek” ferry will delay from Pireaus

But will always find me in the harbors

Like my blessed mother’s will

On the shore of Mediterranean,

Far away in Crete...

Pole Star falls from the sky,

To bring you here in our midst

The love for each other

And the homeland Our vow for you...

I TRAVEL

I travel-star boulevards,

by stepping on nails,

that do not break the tranquility of the universe.

Always in peace,

not to break its perfection ...

Secede from the withdrawal of land,

peel of its severity

Im entering in the sagitarius constellation,

without hesitation ...

wounded by the arrows of Eros,

in the valley of the zodiac find rest

and raises the stature in flight ...

KOZETA ZAVALANI 

KOZETA ZAVALANI  was born in Korça - Albania, on March 8, 1958 and lives in Tirana. She graduated from the Faculty of Economics at the University of Tirana in 1982 and in 1985, specialized in journalism. She has worked in Albanian Public Television and now is Editor in Chief of the magazine "Season for Change" of the "Family and Media - Power for Change" association, which she leads. She has been part of several training courses in the literary, publicity, Human Rights and Leadership. Awards -"Ambassador for Peace"and "Women of the World - 2007” won "Special Award" for literary creativity with a high artistic level, bringing the value of outstanding and sustainable in the field of poetry. “Olympus Poetry Prize – “Demeter”, "Honorary Diploma of the 1 st Mediterranean Poetry Festival" and "Certificate of Merit", Larissa, Greece, 22-World Congress of Poets. Literary works: She was author in the volumes 1 and 2 of the book "Gra që më kanë frymëzuar" in Albanian and "Women who have inspired me” in English. In 2005 she published the volume "Halfworld" in English. In 2007 the volume "Gjysmëbota" in Albanian, as well as the bulletin "Human Rights". In 2010 was launched the volume of poetry "Migrator". In 2012 she published volume of poetry "Soul gate" translated into seven languages, English, Italian, Macedonian, Romanian, Turkish and Greek. In 2014 she published novel “Ankthi” and “ Frymemarrje Femerore”. In 2015 Poetry Book “Women”. Participating in many TV shows for the media of increasing women participation in political and social life.