1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Poetry

Against All Odds — Eritrean Millennium Poems by Reesom Haile

By , About.com Guide

2 of 6

“Desta,” by Reesom Haile

Desta (Tigrinya)Reesom Haile

Daughter, Desta, born in exile,
Come home for a first time.
Meet your grandmother
Her family, her neighbors —
Your family, your neighbors,
Your country, our home.
Please eat
These vegetables and meat
And a special treat of wild roots.
Or have I spoiled you?

No, Daddy, I love this.
But we need windows.

(English translation by Charles Cantalupo)

More Reesom Haile poems translated by Charles Cantalupo

at Drunken Boatat Titanic Operasat Per Contra

Explore Poetry

About.com Special Features

Dinosaur Discoveries of the Decade

The top 10 fossil discoveries between 2000 and 2010. More >

How to Ace the GRE

Being well prepared is the first step; here are more essential suggestions. More >

  1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Poetry
  4. Poetry Around the World
  5. Multilingual Poetry
  6. “Desta,” by Reesom Haile, trans. Charles Cantalupo

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.