“Oratio or a prayer”
By Nokë (Antonio) Sinishtaj
Physical pain
is not what so much that tortures ones body.
The Psychic nails,
are the cause which crucify ones soul.
And the soul,
when separated from body, searches for the celestial spheres.
But, if one leaves the Globe
the direction becomes unknown...
Up or down?
Left or right?
Ones brain gets lost in Ether...
The only thing that remains is: “Pater noster qui est in caelis...’
Translated by Albert Bikaj
- Nokë Sinishtaj (1944-2021) was a Swiss-Albanian poet, theologian and polyglot. Born to Albanian Catholic parents in the region of Malësia (en. Highlands) he was raised in a pastoral environment. He finished his elementary studies in his hometown in Malësia, Montenegro. Then continued higher education in Croatian cities of Pazin, Zadar, and finally in Zagreb where he graduated in Philosophy and Catholic theology. He was a Franciscan until 1975. He left the order but not his Catholic faith, it seems that priesthood wasn’t his vocation. He continued his studies at the University of Freiburg, where he graduated in the Italian Literature. For many years he has served as a translator at the Luzern’s Court. He had authored more than 20 books, mostly poems in Albanian, Italian, Croatian and German. His poems are characterized by its Gheg Albanian dialect and topics as: God, family and homeland. Because of his unique style and deep verses, he earned recognition and received praise by the most notable contemporary poets of Albania, Croatia and Kosovo.
He passed away last night.
Requiescat in Pace, our beloved uncle!
Albert Bikaj
