DURING OUR GOOD OLD DAYS

Translated from Armenian by Daniel Janoyan
Glendale, February 2, 1991
 
Many have enslaved your heart,
Many have taken you off your mind,
But you have always offered me your heart
During my good days

One became a song on your lips,
Another became a wound in your heart.
One other became a caressing hand,

Yet another became your slave in hand.
But amongst them all
I was a torture of love for you,
And a loving agitation
For all of your springs.

I was the taste of your life
Who filled your entire hour and day.
I was the best of them all
During the times of your good days.

I HAVE NOT SEEN MY FATHERLAND

Translated from Armenian by Daniel Janoyan
Los Angeles, February 2, 1988
 
I have not seen my fatherland,
I have not seen my ancestor’s land.
The Armenian language reached me only
From distant shores of lakes many.

Songs and rhythms reached me only
Along with wounds filled with longings,
Composed by the exiled Armenian
Who preserved them as divine items that are holy

Today I am singing my song
Inside a world of my fatherland.
I am the echo, coming from far,
Of my national Armenian song.

IF THERE WAS NO LOVE

Translated from Armenian by Daniel Janoyan

If there was no love in this world,
How would memories be then remembered?
If there were no songs in this world,
How would the wounds be then cured?

If there was no perfume in this world,
Why would the flowers then blossom?
If there were no hearts in this world,
Why would the eyes then shed tears?

MY LAST LOVE

Translated from Armenian by Daniel Janoyan
Los Angeles, February 2, 1988
 
I can’t comprehend when you are coming,
And with whose eyes do you enslave me?
Are you laughing or are you crying?
Or, is it new perfume you intend dispensing?
You are my last love and my last luck.
You are my last inspiration and my last longing.
And just like my last song, which is undeclared,
You are a violet not yet blossomed.
I don’t know why, but do come back fast.
Never be too late my love and my sweetheart.
Let a new fire keep burning my heart,
Never mind if that fire will be final and the last.

WITHIN MY LOVE

Translated from Armenian by Daniel Janoyan
Los Angeles, CA, June 23, 1997

Within my love there is some little pain,
And in that pain there is love and longing.
Who has woven life to be such that
Within my love there be some pain?
Within my laughter there are a few little cries
And within my summer, some winter feelings.
Within my love there is some little pain,
And in that pain, there is love and longing.