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Diana Der-Hovanessian, New England born poet, was twice a Fulbright professor of American Poetry and is the author of more than 23 books of poetry and translations. She serves as president of the New England Poetry Club. She will be reading at the Somerville News Writers Festival Nov. 13, 2010 at the Arts Armory in Somerville.
SHIFTING THE SUN
When your father dies, say the Irish
you lose your umbrella against bad weather.
May his sun be your light, say the Armenians.
When your father dies, say the Welsh
you sink a foot deeper into the earth.
May you inherit his light, say the Armenians
When your father dies, say the Canadians
you run out of excuses.
May you inherit his sun, say the Armenians.
When your father dies, say the Indians
he comes back as the thunder.
May you inherit his light, say the Armenians.
When your father dies, say the Russians,
he takes your childhood with him.
May you inherit his light say the Armenians.
When your father dies, say the British,
you join his club you vowed you wouldn’t.
May you inherit his sun, say the Armenians.
When your father dies, say the Armenians,
your sun shifts forever
and you walk in his light
– Diana Der-Hovanessian
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