Madagaskara: Poetry, Friendship and Translations

Madagaskara: Poetry, Friendship and Translations

Many thanks to my new friend Clamiras, who helped me translate my favorite poem.

Song
By Christina Rossetti

When I am dead, my dearest,
Sing no sad songs for me;
Plant thou no roses at my head,
Nor shady cypress tree:
Be the green grass above me
With showers and dewdrops wet;
And if thou wilt, remember,
And if thou wilt, forget.

I shall not see the shadows,
I shall not feel the rain;
I shall not hear the nightingale
Sing on, as if in pain:
And dreaming through the twilight
That doth not rise nor set,
Haply I may remember,
And haply may forget.

Hira

Lerany maty zaho, malalako
Aza ihiranan hira mampalahelo
Aza amboliana roy na hazo maloka
Marikitry ny lohanaka
Anaboko misy bozakara manso
Misy orona ndreky ando mando
Afaka mitadidy anao
Afaka mandino anao

Tsy hizery aloka zaho
Tsy hanatsapa orona zaho
Tsy hahareny vorona
Hihira karaha malahelo zaho
Ndreky hanonofy masoandro
mody foana
Mitadidy zaho, faly
Manadino zaho, faly

(translated by Shuria Clamiras and FM Tobias)