Poem
Eqrem Basha
THE AUDIENCE
The head of the protocol department askedWhat are you involved in
We are tired I said
Alright, but what are you involved in
In ourselves
We said
We have been occupied
We would like to have a little rest
Are you involved in politics
Oh no
Our goal is freedom
The department head took note
And gave us a startled look
They look naive he said
As he came in to meet us
And desperate
They are Albanians
They come from a land of hatred
They want to be understood
They don’t insist on love
© Translation: 2003, Robert Elsie
THE AUDIENCE
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Poems of Eqrem Basha
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THE AUDIENCE
The head of the protocol department askedWhat are you involved in
We are tired I said
Alright, but what are you involved in
In ourselves
We said
We have been occupied
We would like to have a little rest
Are you involved in politics
Oh no
Our goal is freedom
The department head took note
And gave us a startled look
They look naive he said
As he came in to meet us
And desperate
They are Albanians
They come from a land of hatred
They want to be understood
They don’t insist on love
© 2003, Robert Elsie
THE AUDIENCE
The head of the protocol department askedWhat are you involved in
We are tired I said
Alright, but what are you involved in
In ourselves
We said
We have been occupied
We would like to have a little rest
Are you involved in politics
Oh no
Our goal is freedom
The department head took note
And gave us a startled look
They look naive he said
As he came in to meet us
And desperate
They are Albanians
They come from a land of hatred
They want to be understood
They don’t insist on love
© 2003, Robert Elsie
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