Anna The Bride

By

Shahe' Kasparian

Shahe' Kasparian wrote this poem in the memory of Anna Titizian from village Kaladouran in Kessab. She is the heroine of the epic novel titled “Anna The Bride” by her late grandson Kevork George Apelian. The book was translated into English by Annie Hoglind.

Anna The Bride

A striking pearl necklace adorning  her neck,

she was so stunning with hazel almond eyes,

a gorgeous complexion with no speck,

glowing  beauty in the midnight moonrise.

Long silky black hair, braided to her waist,

she shined, the  moon paling in comparison,

a daunting and arduous  journey she faced

in a lacy traditional shawl delightfully crimson.

In the middle of the night, shivering  and cold

with a scant foot sandal, walked over rocks

amidst the howling of coyotes so bold,

never to look back, strolled  so many blocks.

She was engaged to one not of her choosing,

she denied her father's & mother's strong wish

and in spite of their will, not a minute losing

she embarked on  a voyage of uncertain finish.

No one so pretty like her had dared  elope

alone in the dark she carried on and on,

frightened and confused down the slope,

determined to get to her lover before dawn.

Sobbing at times but surely always smiling

she longed for the encounter and anticipated

the last step in her new passage  and yearning,

new beginning,  new chapter, to be created.

And so she was united at last with her lover,

betrothed  to each other for all eternity

conceived their first child under heavy cover

only  to be separated from her community.

He travelled  far away to the land of free

sent word for her to name their second child

possibilities  for a family reunion never to be

but she never lost hope and always complied.

Sad  circumstances looming over the horizon,

once again she was forced against all her wishes

time to walk the march of death with no reason

like her million and a half sisters and  brothers.

Evil Ottoman empire schemed to annihilate,

eradicate any trace of Armenian descendants

but their plans were destined to a different fate

children scattered in the world of remnants.

She and her firstborn went through carnage

succumbed to an untimely and tragic death

her angelic life curtailed like her marriage

only to leave a legacy of precious breath.

Anna  Bride  will always be remembered

even though she has no grave or tombstone

she lives on in the ten million strong bred

her indomitable spirit surely infinitely grown.

Shahe' Kasparian 2-14-14

Posted with his permission.

Kevork George Apelian