by Edna Levy Green, translated by Talia Green

 

My name, 

a gift from my birth

by parents who blessed its life—

My name, 

that I’ve grown into

and grown with, 

my name in my hands. 

My name, loved 

by those who loved me

and I deserted, 

the name 

I let slip from my hands. 

 

Edna, oh Ednale, 

oh joy, oh peace. 

Without regretful pause, 

without hesitation, 

without a backward glance

it fell, my name—

so long, I moved forward, steadfast. 

 

And now, I swear, 

for you—I return. 

 

Return to my name, 

return to the Moledat, 

a homecoming, 

over my shoulder and steps toward

my Motherland, 

my name I left behind.