Geyigeenna Our Land

Geyigeenna

Cirka oo gu’ hoorshoo
Hillaac galalacleeyiyo
Daruuruhu gufaacada
Guur guurayaano
Godolkii la hibitiqay.
 
Xareeddii geyiga iyo
Goglantahay jidhaanto
Godamada ka buuxdoo
Balliyadu gingimanyiin
 
Ubaxii gardhooboo 
Gaasheeyey midabkoo
Guntimuhu sinmeenoo
Garaacayso laydhii.
 
Dhirtuna ay gun iyo baar
Gedafka isku haysoo
Laamaha gankoodiyo 
Faraqii is gaadheen
 
Shinbiruhuna geestood
Hadba geesh codkoodii
Googooynayaanoo
Rahuna gaar isula baxay.
 
Oo labada goorood
Gabbalka iyo waagaba 
Go’bo leeday dhibicdii.
 
Hoobaan guduudiyo
Dhafaruur go'ayso
Guudku wada casaadooy
Garabtaal midhcaanyadu.
 
Jinawgoo gardhooboo
Caleentii goshiisiyo 
Ay guudka qarisoo
Gurnaayo uunkii.
 
Goryga iyo caawshiyo
Giirr qurux ugadhiyo 
Garanuug idilkeed 
Gaan gaanbiyeenoo
Hadaba geed magoolkii 
Mayracad ku goostaan
 
Geeliina dhalayoo
Gees wayntu darartoo
Adhigiina godol yahay.
 
Xooluhuna gebigood
Isha aad la gaadhoo
Geesaan fogaynoo
Guriga ay ag daqaan.
 
Gabankii la jogiyo 
Kureygii go'qaatoo
Intay hadhac golaysteen
Googalysi goodii
Googoostay sheekada.
 
Halihii gobaad iyo 
Gorad ay lahaayeen
Oo nirgii ku goohoo
Darartii gubaysoo 
Isu guuxay ololkii
 
Inta goor caweysina
Haaneedkii lala galay
Danbarkii ku gaaxdiyo
Laga gurayo ibihoo
Goroofkii la culay iyo
Gaawihii la buuxshoo
Gebiba beeshu negi tahay
 
Galadaan tilmaamee
Geyigeena taaliyo
Nimcadaa  gadhoodhee
Geesaha ka qubatee
Cidi weli galaan darain
Allahayow na garansii.
 

Our Land

The sky is full of spring signs:
lightning, flashing everywhere,
clouds heavy with rain,
slow in their movements,
ready to pour generously.
 
The land inundated
with rain water
filling the pits
and pools full.
 
The flowers blossoming
with so many colours,
each in full bloom,
shaken by the breeze.
 
The trees, from top to bottom,
straight as lines,
their leafy branches
touching one another.
 
The birds for their part
gathering in flocks,
singing a shared tune
while frogs emerge in their own way.
 
At both ends of the day,
morning and evening,
the rain steadily falling.
 
The ripe dhafarur fruit
completely coloured
in crimson, 
the midhcaanyo fruit close by.
 
The jinaw tree in full fruition, 
grown leaves 
covering its height,
ready for plucking.
 
The ostrich and antelope 
basking in beauty
along with the gazelle,
taking their time
feeding on blossoming 
trees with relish.
 
Camels giving birth to calves,
cows with drooping udders,
sheep and goats ready to milk.
 
All the livestock
within your sight
whichever way you look,
grazing near the homestead.
 
The herding youth
in their white sheets
resting in the shade,
passing time with games,
chatting without a care.
 
And the she-camels
Gorad and Gobaad,
hearing their calves cry,
feeling the weight of their milk.
Responding to the call.
 
While evening is still young,
the herders take positions,
draw the longed-for milk
from the she-camels
into smoke-cleansed vessels,
filling them to the brim
in this peaceful settlement.
 
Recounting this heaven
that can be found in our land,
such abundance
overflowing,
such purity and plenty,
we must thank God.
 
London 2011
 

The Spring

The sky is full of spring signs
Lightning, flashing everywhere
Clouds, heavy with rain
Slow in their movements
Ready to give generous pour
The land is inundated
With rain water
Filling all the pits
And pools to the full
The flowers are blossoming
Giving different hues
And bunches of the same size
Shaken by the breeze
The trees from top to bottom
Falling into single lines
With their leafy branches
Touching one another
The birds on their part
Gathering in flocks
Singing in the same tune
while the frogs are left to themselves
In both times of the day
In the morn and the evening
The rain continues falling
The ripening dhafarur fruit
Totally covered all over
In crimson red colour
Having the midhcaanyo close by
The jinwo tree in full fruition
With its grown leaves
Covering it from bottom to top
Is ready for collection
 
The ostrich and the antelope
Basking in the beautiful wild game
Along with the gazelle
Keeping their own pace
Feeding on the blossoming
Trees with relish
Camels giving birth to young calves
Cows with drooping udders
Sheep and goats ready for milking
All the livestock
Never out of sight
Whichever side you look
Grazing near the hamlet
The herding youth
Clad in their white sheets
Taking comfort in the shade
Beguiling the time with quizzes
Enjoy their carefree chats
And the she camels
Gorad and Gobaad by name
Hearing the calves cry
And feeling the burden of their milk
Respond to the call of their calves
While evening is yet early
The herders take their right positions
To draw the eagerly waited milk
From the ready she camels
Into the thoroughly cleaned vessels
Filling them to the brim
In a community peacefully settled
 
Recounting this heavenly bliss
Lying in our land
Given in such abundance
Over-flowing on all sides
So pure and plenty
Thanks to the gracious God
 

Original Poem by

Asha Lul Mohamud Yusuf

Translated by

Said Jama Hussein, Maxamed Xasan ‘Alto’ with Clare Pollard Language

Somali

Country

Somalia/Somaliland