IRMA KURTI (Albania/Italy): “ONE WORD” / “IN THE SAME BOAT”

ONE WORD

Often, one word is more than enough
to warm your body as if by magic,
making anxiety, that rigid piece of ice,
melt and flow away like a stream.

A word, then the waves of sadness
in one minute change into bubbles.
Your shy smile is a ray of sunshine
that soon breaks through the clouds.

One word is enough . . . but strangely,
even that the people don’t want to say.

__________________________________________

IN THE SAME BOAT

“Am I dying?” you asked me suddenly,
your transparent skin, like a white sheet.
“Is this my goodbye to life?” A tear fell
from your eyes, the last leaf on the tree.

I rested my fingers on your hand, slowly
whispering, “You’re not leaving at all.
We die a little bit every hour, every day,
so we’re equal, we’re in the same boat.”

IRMA KURTI is an Albanian poet, writer, lyricist, journalist, and translator and has been writing since she was a child. She is a naturalized Italian and lives in Bergamo, Italy. All her books are dedicated to the memory of her beloved parents, Hasan Kurti and Sherife Mezini, who have supported and encouraged every step of her literary path.

Kurti has also 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 received a lifetime nomination as an Ambassador of Peace by the University of Peace, Italian Switzerland.

In 2020, she became the honorary president of WikiPoesia, the encyclopedia of poetry. In 2021, she was awarded the title of Liria (Freedom) by the Italian-Albanian community in Italy. In 2022, she was also nominated as the Albanian ambassador to the International Academic Award of Contemporary Literature Senecaof the Academy of Philosophical Arts and Sciences, Bari. She also won the prestigious 2023 Naji Naaman’s literary prize for complete work.

Irma Kurti has published 28 books in Albanian, 24 in Italian, 15 in English, and two in French. She has written approximately 150 lyrics for adults and children. She has also translated 18 books by different authors, and all of her own books into Italian and English. Her books have been translated and published in 14 countries.

Anila Bukhari (Pakistan): “Black women”

“ Black women “

Black women, radiant and bold,
Their stories waiting to be told.

Why, dear ones, do you doubt your worth,
When your beauty shines upon this earth?
Why do you question the hue you wear,
When black is a color beyond compare?

In a world that casts shadows of doubt,
Blackness stands tall, unyielding, devout.
It carries the weight of a thousand stars,
A testament to resilience that leaves no scars.

Oh, the nights that have witnessed your tears,
The struggles endured throughout the years.
White and brown mocking, with voices unkind,
But know, dear sisters, they’re blind.

For they fail to see the history deep,
The champions who fought, who dared to leap.
Muhammad Ali, the boxing king,
Maya Angelou, whose words still sing.

And let us not forget Mandela’s might,
A beacon of hope, a guiding light.
These icons, they wore the same shade,
And their legacies, in blackness, were laid.

So, black women, embrace the night,
For within it, your beauty takes flight.
You are more than the color you don,
A symphony of strength, forever strong.

No more doubting, no more despair,
In every step, know that you’re rare.
Black women, stand tall, proud, and true,
For the world needs your beauty, through and through.

Anila Bukhari

Anila Bukhari, an incredible young girls’ education activist and award-winning humanitarian, has truly inspired many. At the age of 10, she began her writing journey, and by the age of 20, she had already authored 11 books! Her passion for raising awareness about girls’ education, especially for blind individuals, and her focus on combating forced and child marriages is commendable. Through her project “Girls Shine,” Anila’s impactful work has reached 50 countries. Her books have been published not only in the USA but also in many other countries. Her poetry, translated into 20 different languages, has touched hearts worldwide. Anila’s dedication goes beyond writing. She created a YouTube channel called “Refugee Voice,” providing a platform for global refugees to share their life stories. Additionally, she established the “Butterfly Global Teachers Club,” implementing projects in schools worldwide, including art classes for women’s empowerment and combating child marriage. Anila’s efforts extend to refugee camps, where she has published a book based on poetry from those residing there, showcasing their talent and amplifying their voices on social media. Her impact as an inspiring leader is evident through her 200+ articles and her recognition with the International Excellence Award from the House of Parliament in London, where she competed against 800 other applicants. Anila’s ultimate goal is to provide education to every orphan and street child while ensuring the safety of girls from forced marriages. Anila Bukhari’s journey is truly remarkable, and her unwavering dedication to making a positive impact in the world is an inspiration to us all.