THE WORST WAIT
Written by Irma Kurti
Translated from the Albanian by the poet
Narrated by Kristine Doll
Albania
Seconds, minutes go by,
the wall clock beats like
a threat in this colorless
sunset. Tonight, I stay so
close to your bed as you
are leaving forever, Dad.
You hardly breath, don’t
feel my hugs and kisses.
I listen to the final beats
of your heart or to your
pain and sighs that now
accompany your trip to
the last station. You keep
your eyes tightly closed,
with the desire to sleep,
never waking. But your
story is also mine; surely
you will be forever a part
of me. It is the worst wait
I have ever had in my life.
Irma Kurti is an Albanian poet, writer, lyricist, journalist, and translator. She is a naturalized Italian. She has been writing since she was a child. All her books are dedicated to the memory of her beloved parents Hasan Kurti and Sherife Mezini, who supported and encouraged every step of her literary path.
Irma Kurti has published 25 books in Albanian, 17 in Italian and 6 in English. She has written about 150 lyrics for adults and children, including in Italian and English. She is also the translator of 10 books of different authors and of all her books in Italian and English. She lives in Bergamo, Italy.
Kurti has won numerous literary prizes and awards in Italy and Italian Switzerland. She was awarded the “Universum Donna” International Prize IX Edition 2013 for Literature and the lifetime nomination of “Ambassador of Peace” by the University of Peace of Italian Switzerland. In 2020, she received the title of Honorary President of WikiPoesia, the Encyclopedia of Poetry. In 2021, she was awarded the title “Liria” (Freedom) by the Arbëreshë Community in Italy.