PRESENTATION
ARBEN GJEKA was born in 1964 in Gorre, Lushnja. After completing the Military Academy of Tirana, he held various positions as a military officer.
He published his first poems while in high school and has won several awards at the national level. His publications include pieces in newspapers and magazines, like poems, literary journalism, short stories, descriptive pieces, and song lyrics.
In 1986, he was given the “Naim Frashëri” award for high quality creative writing.
From 1999-2000 he was a reporter in the daily newspaper “Demokracia” (Democracy).
His poems have been published in several countries. He has published the volumes “Puthje deti” (Sea Kisses), 2005; “Korale shpirti” (Soul Corals), 2011; “Të dashurat e mia” (My Loves), 2016; and “Frikë nga gjërat e bukura” (Fear from Beautiful Things), 2018.
Arben currently works for the Albanian customs system.
Hundred Years Later
Our bodies will be extinguished
Like meteors
One day
And our souls to heaven will fly
Every time
that spring comes.
When we
peacefully will leave the body,
(like fireworks of thousand stars)
the phosphorus that will shine
in those forgetfulness nights
will be our love!
Then
the warm wind of April
loudly
will still recite the verses,
that my soul
will write for you …!
* * *
WEAVING
In the abyss of the night
a star-fire warms me up
one that I once loved.
Now my heart,
still singing
on a bird’s beak.
By love’s shore
Lies resting
the corpse of a dream.
My memory of you,
like a squirrel,
skipping on my soul’s twigs.
It’s late.
The lines on paper,
like the unfinished
Penelope’s web…
That’s how it’s meant to be:
The Gods live up above
and the Angels down here!