Downpours of rain, dry valleys newly watered,
Hillsides resplendent with new verdant growth
And clans assembling under and acacia tree –
On such things were my thoughts and affections set,
But this world provides no lasting satisfaction.
Meat of gelded camel being offered to the family,
Soured camel's milk, and food that does not spoil
Set out on massive dishes under handsome covers,
A bridal hut, with inner chambers specially contrived,
A straight-limbed girl with necklace and silk dress,
A young and splendid wife who passes to and fro
As she diligently serves you with your food,
Ever loth to leave you with your appetite unsated.
From her perfumed dress the scent of incense rises –
Truly her beauty was bestowed on her by God!
On such things were my thoughts and my affections set,
But this world provides no lasting satisfaction.
Burden camels, powerful and broad-necked,
Gelded camels, fit for the largest loads.
Great herds of camels, herds of cattle,
Weapons as numberless as grains of sand,
Girls deftly peeling fibre from the qabo bush
To make a great bowl to hold skim milk.
On such things were my thoughts and affections set,
But this world provides no lasting satisfaction.
A dish of choicest camel meat,
A sheep's quarter seasoned well with salt,
A wicker-framed milk vessel filled to the brim.
Tea and a drink of thinned-downed honey,
Mutton spiced and finely sliced –
On such things were my thoughts and affections set,
But this world provides no lasting satisfaction.
Ina Qooqan, Looshane, Qaabil, Tuure and Qadow Calameed –
These were my battle-horses, and Qalas, too –
On these I rode as we made ready for the holy war.
I accustomed myself to desert life
Often I hunted our enemies at the forest edge
Often indeed I killed them and came back in triumph,
Adorned with the feather that the victor wears.
Many a time I was commander of our military ventures
And the forces of the infidels grew weary with me.
O how often I have sought to pursue the path of goodness!
And as for my transgressions –
Well, it is customary to stay silent.
But life does not last forever
And death reaches every living man.
I wander now in lonely places, my beard grown grey.
The world deceives that man
Who has not learnt the Words of Faith,
So instruct me in the Koran, O Teacher,
And let me tether a young she-camel as your reward!
Ismaaciil Mire [Ismail Mire Elmi] (1862 - 1950) Somalia
Translated by B.W. Andrezejewski and Sheila Andrezejewski
Source: An Anthology of Somali Poetry. Translated by B.W. Andrezejewski and Sheila Andrezejewski. Indiana University Press, 1993 [npr]
Hillsides resplendent with new verdant growth
And clans assembling under and acacia tree –
On such things were my thoughts and affections set,
But this world provides no lasting satisfaction.
Meat of gelded camel being offered to the family,
Soured camel's milk, and food that does not spoil
Set out on massive dishes under handsome covers,
A bridal hut, with inner chambers specially contrived,
A straight-limbed girl with necklace and silk dress,
A young and splendid wife who passes to and fro
As she diligently serves you with your food,
Ever loth to leave you with your appetite unsated.
From her perfumed dress the scent of incense rises –
Truly her beauty was bestowed on her by God!
On such things were my thoughts and my affections set,
But this world provides no lasting satisfaction.
Burden camels, powerful and broad-necked,
Gelded camels, fit for the largest loads.
Great herds of camels, herds of cattle,
Weapons as numberless as grains of sand,
Girls deftly peeling fibre from the qabo bush
To make a great bowl to hold skim milk.
On such things were my thoughts and affections set,
But this world provides no lasting satisfaction.
A dish of choicest camel meat,
A sheep's quarter seasoned well with salt,
A wicker-framed milk vessel filled to the brim.
Tea and a drink of thinned-downed honey,
Mutton spiced and finely sliced –
On such things were my thoughts and affections set,
But this world provides no lasting satisfaction.
Ina Qooqan, Looshane, Qaabil, Tuure and Qadow Calameed –
These were my battle-horses, and Qalas, too –
On these I rode as we made ready for the holy war.
I accustomed myself to desert life
Often I hunted our enemies at the forest edge
Often indeed I killed them and came back in triumph,
Adorned with the feather that the victor wears.
Many a time I was commander of our military ventures
And the forces of the infidels grew weary with me.
O how often I have sought to pursue the path of goodness!
And as for my transgressions –
Well, it is customary to stay silent.
But life does not last forever
And death reaches every living man.
I wander now in lonely places, my beard grown grey.
The world deceives that man
Who has not learnt the Words of Faith,
So instruct me in the Koran, O Teacher,
And let me tether a young she-camel as your reward!
Ismaaciil Mire [Ismail Mire Elmi] (1862 - 1950) Somalia
Translated by B.W. Andrezejewski and Sheila Andrezejewski
Source: An Anthology of Somali Poetry. Translated by B.W. Andrezejewski and Sheila Andrezejewski. Indiana University Press, 1993 [npr]
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