AROMANIAN POEMS by Matilda caragiu Marioteanu, translated by Steliana Gima

Testament for my daughterMy daughter, my adored
Who was born neither in Gramoste
Nor in Samarina
Nor in Hrupisti
Nor in Perivoli

Who did not drink water carried with buckets
From Dolta
From Bucuvala’s fountain
From Vergina’s little creek

Who knows neither the meaning
Of the Argos lamb
Of the baking tin pie. crust baked
Of the „bread juice”
Made by Aromanian mother,
Of sweet „bucuvala”
Of „butter green cheese”

Who did not kissed the hand of an old man
Of a grandfather
Of golden hands
Of venerable mothers

Who did not stay hidden, your betrothed to appear
Who was not a bride without knowing her husband
Who doesn’t even know what
The eye when whitens means
Due to such a long waiting
And due to such a love

My daughter, my gentle sheep
My snowball
Bead like eye
Hazel tree body
Turtle dove like voice
Hold me, hold my hand.