ՎԱՀՐԱՄ ՄԱՎԵԱՆ
(1928-1983)
Ծնած է Երուսաղեմ: Նախնական կրթութիւնը առած է տեղւոյն Սրբոց Թարգմանչաց Վարժարանը, զայն շարունակած՝ «Պիշըբ Կօպաթ» գոլէճին մէջ: Ատեն մը Կիպրոսի Մելգոնեան Կրթական Հաստատութեան մէջ ուսուցչութիւն ընելէ ետք, հետևած է Պելֆաստի (Հիւսիսային Իրլանդա) «Քուինզ» համալսարանի Անգլիական Գրականութեան, Հոգեբանութեան և Իմաստասիրութեան դասընթացքներուն:
Վերադարձած է Մելգոնեան Հաստատութիւն, ուսուցչութեան: 1963-էն ի վեր՝ կը պաշտօնավարէր Գալուստ Կիւլպէնկեան Հիմնարկութեան մէջ որպէս Հայկական Բաժնի Վարչութեան անդամ:
Վախճանած է Լիզբոն (Փորթուկալ), թաղուած Պէյրութ:
At my birthday parties
we
played musical chairs.
Whoever was left standing
got a big hug from Granny.
She knew all too well how it felt
to
be the last one, left alone, standing.
This poem has appeared in RAFT, A Journal of Poetry and Criticism, Volume 4, 1990.
This evening's Armenian meal that you
cooked with pine nuts and strange
spices unknown to me, helped carry me
over from the food of my family to the
food of yours -- the gentle journey a man
makes when he takes a wife: and afterwards
you drew me for the first time, squinting
beautifully for perspective and giving
me a new glimpse into the changing beauty
caused by our growing love, as my own
severe pose for you gave you a new look
into an aspect of my character you said
you have never seen before.
3.4.71
This poem has appeared in The Nonny Poems, MacMillan Publishing Co Inc, New York, 1971
While you fidgeted by my side
(a strange body beside yours in
sleep), you were suddenly tossed
into the angry words of your
mother: who came, you thought,
to carry you away from our bed
of love.
When I turned against you and
that tide, that threatened to
take you from my side, we awoke
together into each other's eyes,
and I held you trembling and
crying until you named your fear.
2.17.71
This poem has appeared in The Nonny Poems, MacMillan Publishing Co Inc, New York, 1971
You say, are you tired; would you
like to sleep? And then scouch down
and fit yourself beneath my enveloping
arm, for you know already the position
we will take for sleep. If I move, I
find you turning as I turn. Whatever
occurs, you are ready in advance: more
love, a kiss -- whatever is happening,
you make it happen right.
This is our first night together, but
already you know how the marriage
bed lies.
2.17.71
This poem has appeared in The Nonny Poems, MacMillan Publishing Co Inc, New York, 1971
We had lunch with white
wine and cheese. I brought
that; you made the soup.
Armenian olives and bread.
And the mezas you served
in small Oriental bowls.
When it was done, and after
we had talked, I put on my
hat and then removed it at
the door to give you a
parting hug and kiss on
the cheek.
First hours, then days
later I began to realize
that nothing is as casual
as that for which the end
is not yet written.
2.14.71
This poem has appeared in The Nonny Poems, MacMillan Publishing Co Inc, New York, 1971
Չար արեւի աչքերուն մէջ
Start with the first century,
with the pagan chants praising Vahakn,
describing the coming of fire.
Then go back to the time
of psalms to the sun
by ancestors with Hittite names.
Go back to the stones
carves with cuneiform,
and the Khatti that came before these.
Call in the gods of earth and the skies,
of mountains, rivers and winds.
Summon the deities of wells and clouds,
spirits to bring sweet dreams.
Move then to Haig, his battle
with Pel. Remember the Assyrians in the hills.
And Ara the Handsome,
David's battles with Egypt,
and Vartan on the Persian battlefields.
Remember the poems that honor their passing,
and bless the reciter's lips.
Say the canticles of Narek.
Try to recall one line
of Magistra's thousand line ode,
of Aristeke's description of Alp.
Then sing the hymns of
Nerses the Gracious, and narratives
that make the listener weep.
Remember the fables of Mkhitar Gosht,
remember the fables that teach
no matter what dragons you slay,
never sweep off the dark cloud sleep.
This work has appeared in Graham House Review, Spring 1990.
APP and its producer, Lola Koundakjian, retain the right to accept or reject any poetry submission(s) based on the criteria provided by the project description.
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