IRMA KURTI

 

 

It Was Raining Last Night

 

It was raining last night, and the rain

knocked on the roof, creating little

ponds and sad melodies; their notes

dripped with my nostalgia for you.

 

“Where are you?” I whispered; the

ropes of rain answered me with

silence, distractedly outlining

my melancholy and your portrait.

 

How long will we remain like this:

at such a distance that each day kills

us, searching for words that never

arrive? Those with wings of freedom

flee to other persons in love. How

many more days must we struggle

through without seeing or touching

each other even for a single moment?

 

Two Leaves

 

Our souls resemble two leaves suspended

in the air; they tremble delicately when a

breeze blows; they approach and kiss one

another; they avoid one another in a state

of chaos.

 

Our sensitive, fragile, and frightened souls,

in this wild world that allows them no time

to breathe for a moment – they are so clear

limpid and transparent, sprinkled with dew.

 

IRMA KURTI

 

IRMA KURTI is an Albanian poet, writer, lyricist, journalist, and translator, and has been writing since she was a child. She is a naturalized Italian and lives in Bergamo, Italy. She is also known to the public as the songwriter of numerous hit songs, performed at numerous national and pop music festivals in Albania, Kosovo, and Macedonia. She has written around 200 song lyrics for both adults and children. Kurti has won more than 100 awards and recognitions in Italy, Greece, Switzerland, the USA, Canada, the Philippines, Lebanon, China, and Korea. She was awarded the Universum Donna International Prize IX Edition 2013 for Literature and received a lifetime nomination as an Ambassador of Peace by the University of Peace in Switzerland. In 2020, she became the honorary president of WikiPoesia, the poetry encyclopedia. In 2021, she was awarded the title of Liria (Freedom) by the Italian-Albanian community in Italy. Irma Kurti is a member of the jury for several literary competitions in Italy. She is also a translator for the Ithaca Foundation in Spain. Irma Kurti has published 120 works, including books of poetry, fiction, and translations. Her poetry has been translated into 40 languages. She is one of the most translated and published Albanian poets. Her books have been translated and published in 24 countries.