THE LAMENT OF THE WIND
By Koryun Sergoyan
The wind howled across the desert plain,
A giant breath shattering the tranquility,
Its relentless force scorching the earth.
It carried the intense rhythm of infinity,
Pulsating with a searing, agonizing roar.
Amidst this tempest,
It mournfully whistled a song of death.
Rolling through the dew-kissed grasses,
Making the heart of the poppy weep,
As if tears flowed from shattered petals.
Amidst the din,
It brushed against the unyielding stones,
Sending shivers down their cold,
Unforgiving faces.
It was as if the very essence of life bled,
Staining the veins of existence,
Quivering with the wind's own breath.
The wind grieved for the brave soldier,
Its mournful cries dissipating
Into the vast sky,
A lament echoing like a melancholic song.
The soldier had fallen in relentless battles,
A sincere longing in his heart,
The sun's warmth still lingering on his cheeks.
In the modest fields, death reigned,
Summoning the Mistress of Black Souls,
Attracting scavengers, A mournful chorus
Like the hyenas' plaintive cries.
As the wind continued to howl across the field,
It wept for the loss of a young soldier.
It remembered him with pride,
His presence resolute and masculine,
His triumphant strides on the battlefield
Etched in its memory.
The wind persisted in its mournful serenade
Across the desert plain,
Whistling a sad ballad of death,
Reminiscent of years gone by
When the brave soldier had fallen, crying, "Onward!"
***
Army Day, celebrated on Jan. 28, is a day dedicated to honouring and commemorating the brave troops of the Armed Forces of Armenia, recognizing their dedication and sacrifice in defence of the nation.
Քամու ողբը ('The lament of the wind') was penned in Armenian by Lieutenant Colonel Koryun Sergoyan in May 2000. Tragically, Lt. Col. Koryun Sergoyan made the ultimate sacrifice for his homeland on Sept. 29, 2020, during the 2020 Artsakh (44-Day) War.
The original Armenian was published Հորիզոն գրական in Dec. 2022. This English interpretation by Torontohye/Թորոնթոհայ is presented here for the first time, serving as a timeless homage to his memory and the dedication of all those who defend their nation.
