Dookh Taste

Dookh

Haddaanad gabayga deelqaafka iyo, dari ka saaraynnin
Dalabtiyo haddaan laga midh tirin, diniqa aan muuqan
Meeshii dahsoonayd haddaan, lagu daqiiqeeynnin
Doogtiyo haddaan lagu lafgurin, dakharradii raagay
Darar lagama maaloo tixuu, dufan ma yeeshaane,
Aan dareersho caawoo kalaan, daribta saafaaye.
 
Inkastuu darmaan quruxsan iyo, daaddax ugu yeedho
Ama uu ammaan deexdo oo, ‘dawlo!' ku yidhaahdo
Hadal dhegaha deeqaaya oo, dabacsan oo fiican
Dun xariir ah iyo shaal hadduu, dahab ku saarsaaro
Daraandaryo araggaaga hooy, damacu waa yaabe,
Oo aanu dookhaaga noqon, waa dariiq xidhane.
 
Hadduu daaro waaweyn dhisoo, dabaqyo kuu jeexo
Dal dhan oo muraayad ah dhammaan, adiga kuu deyro
Sancadaw dambeeysiyo hadduu, dalabka kuu keeno
Naftu waxay yara doonayso uu, deregga soo saaro,
Oo aanu dookhaaga noqon, waa dariiq xidhane.
 
Inkastoo adduun door ah iyo, duunyo lagu sheego
Inkastuu dulqaad badan yahoo, deeqsi lagu sheego
Duub iyo malaaq uu yahoo, dooje lagu sheego
Digriiga iyo maastariga iyo, derejo weyn haysto
Digriigyo Quraankiyo hadduu, diinta yahay xaafid,
Oo aanu dookhaaga noqon, waa dariiq xidhane.
 
Inkastuu dillaacshoo qalbiga, daabac ku xardhaayo
Xididdada dil-dilayee wadnuhu, dirayo dhiiggooda
Dahriga iyo laabtaba ku dhigo, Deeqa magacaaga
Diiwaankii Cilmoo kale galoo, deli ka laallaado
Suugaanta duugga ah murtida, damashi kuu qaado
Daaweeynta heesaha intaa, daram garaacayo,
Oo aanu dookhaaga noqon, waa dariiq xidhane.
 
Haddii uu dalxiis kuugu diro, dunida guudkeeda
Diyaarado hawada sarena aad, kula damaanshaaddo
Durdur iyo hadduu kugu dul furo, ilo dareeraaya
Deeradiyo cawshiyo ugaadh, quruxda daa'uuska
Doog iyo cagaar soo ifbaxay, darinta kuu daadsho
Ama Daallo oo roobku heley, Dalawa kuu maalo
Oo doobi kuu buuxiyoo, kuna daryeelaayo
Dayrtiyo Gugaba kuu da'oo, adiga kuu deexdo
Daruur hoortay uu kuu noqdiyo, malakba doocanka,
Oo aanu dookhaaga noqon, waa dariiq xidhane.
 
Inkastuu darwiish adag yahiyo, geesi diriraayo
Dirica iyo wiil hoog yahoo, degello naafeeyo
Dumukha iyo qorigaba ridoo, diiradda u saaro
Halka lagu dagaalamo hadduu, doorar ka ciyaaro
Ama u daqiiqaaya oo uu, duubiyada gooyo,
Oo aanu dookhaaga noqon, waa dariiq xidhane.
 
Xeedhyo duuban oo duqus leh oo, geedo lagu daadshay
Hilbo duban kuwii diirranaa, qaar dux lagu shiilay
Daboolkiyo lingaxa lagu xidhood, uumi lagu daaro
Ubbadii dahaadhnayd haddii, diiqo lagu siiyo
Haddaan milix yar lagu daadinayn, kaama daadego'e,
 
Dookhana sidaasoo kalaan, loo dirqiyahayne
Damiirkaagu meeshaanu rabin, dooni kari maysid.
 
London, 21.08.2011
 

Taste

If this poem isn't free of flaws or clunkiness,
if it contains disharmony or defects,
if it doesn't illuminate what's hidden
and isn't used to staunch old injuries,
its verses won't nourish, are a withered breast.
Let me recite this with spirit. It's night; it's time.
 
Though he may call you fair names, a ‘lovely mare',
and praise you up onto a pedestal, all-powerful,
and slip soothing words in your ear, sweet to hear,
dazzle your eyes and make desire rear up,
if he's not to your taste, he's just a blocked path.
 
Though he may place you in a skyscraper
and fill your world with glass
or fashion, or your demands,
arriving at your door with every whim,
if he's not to your taste, he's just a blocked path.
 
Though he's said to be wealthy, with a portfolio of property,
and is known for his patience and generosity
and like a tribal chief, is spoken of with honour,
and has his Master's degree and letters after his name,
if he's not to your taste, he's just a blocked path.
 
No matter that he wears his heart on his chest
and shows you the blood's beat in his veins
and prints your name on his skin
and writes love poems like Cilmi, from the edge,
and sings enchanted ancient lyrics full of wisdom,
if he's not to your taste, he's just a blocked path.
 
Though he takes you on a tour around the world
and wants you by him on the plane,
and shows you fountains and pulsing streams
in places teeming with deer, antelope, peacock,
and lays carpets for you on lush low grass
and takes you to stunning Daallo just after rain
and gives you bowls of camel-milk, wanting your comfort,
wanting to look after you through spring and autumn,
conjuring rainclouds and Yemeni honey,
if he's not to your taste, he's just a blocked path.
 
Though he might be a holy Dervish, a fighter for God,
a fearless young man who can destroy dark forces,
skilful with guns, never missing his target,
commended for bravery in battle,
who crushes his enemies and tears up their bodies,
if he's not to your taste, he's just a blocked path.
 
You might be treated to a bowl of spiced food,
barbecued meats and meats cooked with fat
steamed to perfection underneath a tight lid,
or a ghee pot with its beautifully crafted case,
but if there's no salt to season, you won't eat with relish.
Taste cannot be won by compulsion.
You cannot go against your own heart. 
 

Original Poem by

Asha Lul Mohamud Yusuf

Translated by

Said Jama Hussein with Clare Pollard Language

Somali

Country

Somalia/Somaliland