A Testament For My Daughter (Magda Isanos) Poem by Paul Abucean

Brothers and sisters, lest ye forget,
I also mowed and gleaned for ye.
My portion of grains, from the four corners.
And the great news, and the joyful news,
I singingly erst shared with ye.
I have sewn banners, I have wrought hymns,
here among scythes and sickles.
Banners and hymns,
for when the Good Dawn comes.
Now let me take my place below,
below where only rootlings reach.

My sweet, come up to where the cliffs and heavens meet.
I shall place a crown and a wreath
upon your head, and steer you to good fortune.
Be kind to people.
Bear in mind, all were erstwhile brethren.
Still, having come such a long way,
through sands and storms,
so many steps have faded.

My sweet, my baby.
May your little hands,
and your little feet
leave golden marks all around.
Here, where I have suffered,
here, where I have wept,
upon the callous glebe.
I have sewn banners, I have wrought hymns,
for the day when you,
wide-eyed and thrilled,
come up to where the cliffs and heavens meet.

Magda Isanos (1944) (Translated by Paul Abucean)