Hytbi Tarelli

by Kristaq Turtulli

Hytbi, my dear friend, silver haired and golden hearted

In your soul lay the winds of two continents

On your shoulders the polar bears danced

While you slept with the northern whales in the cave of kindness

You painted polar nights

The awe of autumn

And the hibernation of winter

You left and took a piece of blue sky with you

You lit your cigarette with lightning

And combed your hair with the storm

You never stopped or rested

On celebrations you gave out smiles and love cards

Sculptures of Skënderbe and Mother Teresa

are more than just Albania, you'd say

Arrows of jealousy and acrimony would be thrown at you

By the smallest of people

Triflings

But you would put them aside

Without even a thought

You always forgave and offered a smile instead

Because in your heart

You had holy and sacred kindness

__________________________________________________

Kristaq Turtulli

Kushtuar mikut tim Hytbi Tarelli

Hytbi, miku im i thjeshtë, flokëargjëndë,

Dhe zemërbardhë.

Në gjoksin tënd strehoheshin erërat e dy kontinenteve,

Në shpatullat e tua kacavirreshin arinjtë e bardhë,

Flije tok me balenat në shpellën e mirësisë

Pikturoje netët polare.

Vjeshtën në mahnitje

Dhe dimrin në dremitje.

Ike e një copë qiell të kaltër more me vete.

Cigaren ndizje tek rrufetë.

Flokët krihje me stuhitë,

Asnjëherë s’ heshte dhe s’pushove.

Në përvjetorë shpërndaje buzëqeshje,

Kartolinat e dashurisë.

Bustet me Skënderbe dhe nënë Terezë.

Janë më shumë se një Shqipëri, thoshe,

Shigjeta hidhësie hidhnin ca liliputë.

Por shpejt i harroje.

Gjithnjë i falje dhe dhuroje buzëqeshje...

Se në shpirt kishe mirësi shenjtërie...

* * * * * * * * * *

Sunrise

April 5, 1952

Bilisht, Korce, Albania

Sunset

November 4, 2016

Toronto, Ontario

HYTBI TARELLI Beloved husband of Teuta, father of Elis and Eriona, brother to Zinije and brother-in- law to Suzana, "Axhi Biu" to Alma and Ardit and "Gjyshi" to Aria and Adria. "Xhaxhi" to Anila, Altin, Alma and Lordian. Dear in-law to Meriana, Darren, Jade, Peter, and Jose.

Passed away suddenly, after a short illness, at Sunnybrook Hospital on the morning of Friday, November 4.

He was born April 5, 1952, in Bilisht, Korce, Albania. Spent four years in Greece with his family before immigrating to Toronto, Ontario in 1997. A highly respected artist, his sculptures and paintings are well known throughout the Albanian community and beyond. He reached across communities tirelessly and built bridges between all of us.

He loved life like no other and will be missed by so many.

Services will be held at Giffen-Mack Funeral Home, 2570 Danforth Avenue, Visitation Wednesday, November 9, 2016, 5-9 p.m. Memorial Thursday, November 10th, 1 p.m.

Published in the Toronto Star on Nov. 8, 2016