An Anthology of Czechoslovak Poetry/Slovak Poetry/Ľudmila Podjavorinská
ĽUDMILA PODJAVORINSKÁ
(1872–)
This poetess, whose real name is Ľudmila Riznerové, was born in Hornie Bzince and has been prominent in literature since her first verses appeared, in 1888. She lives now in Nové Mesto nad Váhom as an official of the Czechoslovak Red Cross.
TO A TINY STAR
From the heights of heavenGolden, gleams a small star,In our window, twinklingIt beckons from afar.
Tiny star, tiny star!Fly thou down to us here.Surely good it will beTo have you always near.
Our tiny little hutBeneath the old beech treeFor thy fond arrivalWith flowers sweet will be.
Out of red rose petalsThy pillows will I make.To bring dreams, a folk songI will sing for thy sake.
Or I will enclose theeGently in my heart;Truly, thou wilt leave thereOf thy light a small part.Translated by Daniel Slabey