Of the same author:
IF FOR TELLING THE TRUTH...
(1963)
POESIA
(1963)
LET'S BREAK THE CHAIN
(1963)
SHOUTING ON ZORROTZA WHARF
(1963)
Gabriel Aresti (1933-1975) Born into a nationalist non-Basque-speaking family in Bilbao. At fourteen he began to study Basque on his own, reading the classics in the City Library and listening to popular verse improvisers. His poetry evolved from the symbolism of his youth to the social criticism of his later years. He exerted an enormous influence of the youth of the 60s and 70s. His work Harri eta Herri (Stone and Country, 1964) is the foundational book of Basque modern civil poetry. He was critical, indulged in controversy and broke the myth of the «Basque believer». He openly stated his left-wing ideas, and also contributed to the updating of song-singing and drama... His death, which coincided with the end of the Franco regime, closed a period of Basque literature.
MY FATHER'S HOUSE
Gabriel Aresti , 1963
I shall defend
The house of my father.
Against wolves,
Against drought,
Against usury,
Against the Justice,
I shall defend
The house
of my father.
I shall lose
cattle,
orchards,
and pinewoods;
I shall lose
Interests,
Income,
And dividends,
But I shall defend the house of my father.
They will take away my weapons
And with my hands I shall defend
The house of my father;
They will cut off my hands
And with my arms I shall defend
The house of my father;
They will leave me
Without arms,
Without shoulders,
And without breasts,
And with my soul I shall defend
The house of my father.
I shall die,
My soul will be lost,
My descendence will be lost,
But the house of my father
Will remain
Standing.
Translation: Toni Strubell
Original version: NIRE AITAREN ETXEA
© Gabriel Aresti © Translation: Toni Strubell
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