From early days I turned my gaze towards the vast unknown. <br />In heart and mind I soar above the abyss, intent and lone. <br />Yet every time, O country of mine, my heart is torn again <br />When I reflect upon your past and present full of pain, <br />Upon the silent crowds of exiles-your devoted sons, <br />Upon the plight of ruined villages and burned and looted towns. <br />O Fatherland beloved mine, <br />In age-old sorrow you repine! <br /> <br />I see the ruthless enemy putting you to tortures, <br />I see your face so beautiful, your flowering, fields and orchards <br />Contorted with the agony of villages and towns; <br />I hear the shouts of those whose name I calmly can't pronounce, <br />Who turned our land into a vale of sorrow without bounds. <br />Till now in plaintive songs, my land, that sorrow still resounds. <br />O hillbound Fatherland of mine, <br />In age-old anguish you repine! <br /> <br />Your wounds are countless, O my land, yet still alive are you. <br />The cherished words we have waited for are already breaking through <br />Your lips compressed with sorrow; we believe that on the way <br />Destined to you by God and Fate-those words you'll find and say. <br />We wait with fervour for your call-anon, Anon we hear it; <br />You will become a promised land, free both, in flesh and spirit, <br /> <br />O lofty, sacred Fatherland, <br />O ever-cherished Fatherland! <br /> <br />We hope, we know the dawn will rise and put an end to dark, <br />And joy will pour like sunshine into every stricken heart. <br />The summits of your mountains from the clouds on us will gaze, <br />And for the first time Ararat will smile at dawn's first rays, <br />And a poet with lips undefiled by rage and condemnation, <br />Will glorify in glowing words your great rejuvenation. <br /> <br />O my reviving Fatherland, <br />Shine with new light, my Fatherland!<br /><br />Hovhannes Toumanian<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/with-my-fatherland/
