Message
/To my granddaughter Elena on her first birthday in England/

So many presents you will be given
Dear Elena, unseen by me yet.
But with the first milk – blessed and forgiven,
suck in a song. My spirit it led.

Here, my message to your Mum is thorough-
Born on the Balkan- rebellious, living…
It will be great pain and sorrow
if you are left without a beginning.

I want you to know Vasov’s couplets,
and Yavorov’s verses – melody wondrous,
and yet with the English timeless sonnets
thrilled you will be by the language marvellous.

Know, that your blood is a glorious mixture -
Balkan and Britain for you are one land.
Byron and Botev will be your preachers -
I devote you to Dickens, Bagriana… till end!

Bulgaria has no places of glory.
From spirit and beauty Her essence was born.
But in the temples – ancient and holy
is living her soul – sound of rustle and horn.

Together will climb our mountains like ladders.
We’ll visit Sveshtari - the Thracian mound.
You’ll hear the eternal “Mnogaia Leta”
and burn in Bulgarian voice – sacred sound!

I’m proud you have blood of a dancer in fire!
With British cool blood mix it, my dear!
Step, my boyar, and make the courts admire
your magical charm of the Talev’s bright Nya!

Translated by Zdravka Vladova-Momcheva

Notes:
Botev, Vazov, Yavorov, Bargriana, Talev – famous Bulgarian poets and writers, classics of the Bulgarian literature
Nya – a heroine from Talev’s novel “The Bells of Prespan”