The story of my life

Written in 2003, translated and adapted in 2011, here is a poem about my life.

The story of my life

The story of my life
Is like my home province
Full of peaks and valleys
Ups, downs and little tops,
A few peaceful, happy plateaux
Where I felt at the top of the world
Not realizing that I was so near the edge.

This is the story of my life

I lived it fully, it was full
Of pain, regrets and failures.
Also of work, enthusiasm and joys
Persistence, beliefs and blind spots
Bitter disappointments also, too many times
And yet I have no regrets.

This is the story of my life

I thought I’d stay always
In my quiet adored town
From the familiar place we had to flee
Turned into enemy in the imagined paradise,
To discover, know and love other places,
Other people, look for other friends.

This is the story of my life

Of several countries I am enriched
Even people that hurt me, made me grow.
Mother raised me to be independent
Taught me early: my actions have consequences
I assumed, fallen, but each time rebounded
Long after often ... or in the next hour.

This is the story of my life

My father taught me not to give up
Resist longer and use the circumstances,
Even when it’s difficult, mount singing
Even when it hurts, continue on and smile
In face of adversity keep going, not flee.
My friends helped me blossom.

This is the story of my life

My husbands loved me then betrayed me,
But my friends accompanied all my life
Supported me, comforted and listened
Despite me, often the truth showed.
I acted on my own, often my heart
I do not regret my reasons nor my passions.

This is the story of my life

Full of projects not too badly realised
Not just dreams, but often become realities.
Two wonderful children and five grandchildren,
Two published books and full of texts written
I helped whenever I could
At least as much as I have been helped.

This is the story of my life

Open: described a lot if not all
I thought it, even if never enough.
I loved, several times adored,
I do not regret even when deceived.
I hated and then did not think about it.
Of my bitterness, I escaped toward learning.

This is the story of my life.

Along the tortuous path and the unbeaten trails
Books and their authors accompanied me.
Stories, novels and my favourite poems
Enchanted me, helped and enlightened me,
Made me think, and deepened my life,
They helped me live and also tell to others,

The stories of my life.

Julie Kertesz 2003