Meti në Shqipëri

The most useful word in the Albanian language is the word “Mirë.” It translates to “good,” and in many ways, it’s used in the same way that we use the word. “Good morning”, “I’m good,” that kind of stuff. But it’s so much more functional here. You can have a whole conversation using just the word “mirë.” So I wrote a song about it last year during training. I finally recorded it with the help of PC Albania Group 10 and some farm animals. Enjoy! http://matttaylormusic.com/mire

Hajde!
Shkojmë të pimë kafe.
Prapë.
Dhe prapë.
Dhe prapë.

Sa gjynah Karli,
Që ti nuk do rri me ne.
Mirupafshim, shok.

From www.simpsonizeme.com

Drite comes one to five
Water runs from two to nine
Thus, nothing is done

*light

Columns crumbled, capitals left lonely
On the marketplace. Past Dyrrachion.
Tigress wanders, wondering, “Where are they?”
The Old Ones, once tossing scraps to kittens
While selling between pillars, on marble,
Trafficking tongues, ancient, revised and new,
“Olives for you! Green, black and beautiful!”
Bought. Then slipping to the sides in secret,
They speak of sedition in soft whispers.
No one hears but the calf, the kid, The Lamb.
Listening. And when their necks are opened,
Their Secrets spill sanguine upon the streets.
Dyrrachion thus passed, Tigress wanders.
Her kittens sniff stains in the ancient stalls.

*Mace is Albanian for “cat.” Macellum is Latin for “marketplace.” One of the archaeological sites in Durres is a Roman/Byzantine marketplace.

From the North
Rises the bubble-sphere
Clear, within which
Glides Glinda, the Good Witch.

In the East
Storms misery, gloom
Broom-ridden skies through which rides
A rival witch, wicked, and doomed.

And down below,
Down low to the the Land,
A kind of man
Hides behind hedgerow stands
Awaiting winds
Of spinning Fate

Blow thee, Black Tempest
Twisting o’er plains
Sucking up The Virgin,
Soiled.
Circulating in situ
Then turning in toto
Tossed toward a land
That’s no longer Kansas.

In this Land
Impacts the home,
Impasse broken,
Broken bones,
A witch, crushed beneath.

Then, a still and small silence.

Emerging colored,
The Virgin, stunned,
Fated savior.
Freedom, won!