The House of My Father - Basque Poem

Poets’ Window- International Poetry Evening
International Poetry Evening at Ashbees Wine Bar in Earls Court. In addition to the
‘Poets’ Window’ poem’s being read, we had poems written by acclaimed Poets from
around the world read by native speakers, followed by the English translation.


Basque poem, read by Eleder

Nire Aitaren Etxea
Gabriel Aresti
Nire aitaren etxea
defendituko dut.
Otsoen kontra,
sikatearen kontra,
lukurreriaren kontra,
justiziaren kontra,
defenditu
eginen dut
nire aitaren etxea.
Galduko ditut
aziendak,
soloak,
pinudiak;
galduko ditut
korrituak,
errentak,
interesak,
baina nire aitaren etxea
defendituko dut.
Harmak kenduko dizkidate,
eta eskuarekin defendituko dut
nire aitaren etxea;
eskuak ebakiko dizkidate,
eta besoarekin defendituko dut
nire aitaren etxea;
besorik gabe,
sorbaldik gabe,
bularrik gabe
utziko naute,
eta arimarekin defendituko dut
nire aitaren etxea.
Ni hilen naiz,
nire arima galduko da,
nire askazia galduko da,
baina nire aitaren etxeak
iraunen du
zutik.


English translation

I shall defend the house
of my Father

I shall defend
the house of my father,
against wolves,
against drought,
against usury,
against the law,
I shall defend
the house of my father.
I shall lose
cattle,
orchards,
pine groves;
I shall lose
interests
income
dividends
but I shall defend the
house of my father.
They will take away my weapons
and with my hands I shall defend
the house of my father;
they will cut off my hands,
and with my arms I shall defend
the house of my father;
they will leave me armless,
without shoulders,
without chest,
and with my soul I shall defend
the house of my father.
I shall die,
my soul will be lost,
my descendents will be lost;
but the house of my father
will endure
on its feet.