An Uyghur Song – translated by ProMosaik
by Milena Rampoldi, ProMosaik. A wonderful song from Uyghuristan by Abdurahim Beyit, based on a poem of Abdulrahim Ötkür, an Uyghur poet and nationalist (1923-1995). It is about love, struggle, hope, God, beauty, and the soul.
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At dawn I saw the Sultana of my dreams.
I asked: Are you a Sultana? She said: No, no.
In her eyes the fire, her arms decorated with henna.
I asked: Are you the morning star? She said: No, no.
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I asked: What’s your name? She said: Ayhan.
I asked: Where are you from? She said: From Turpan.
I asked: What aggravates your heart? She said: The yearning.
I asked: Do you have a lover? She said: No, no.
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I said: The moon caresses. She asked: Does it caress my cheeks?
I said: It shines like a star. She asked: Are these my eyes?
I said: It spreads flames. She asked: Are these my words?
I asked: Are you a volcano? She said: No, no.
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I asked: What are the wrinkles? She said: They are my eyebrows?
I asked: What are the black waves? She said: They are my hair.
I asked: What is fifteen? She said: My age.
I asked: Are you in love? She said: No, no.
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I asked: What is big like the sea? She said: My heart.
I asked: And what is beautiful like the sea? She said: My lips.
I asked: And what is sweet like the sea? She said: My tongue.
I asked: Can you give me something to sweeten my life? She said: No,
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I asked: Where are the chains? She said: Around my neck.
I asked: Is the death real? She said: Yes, it is on my way.
I asked: And the handcuffs? She said: They are around my arm.
I asked: Are you afraid? She said: No, no.
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I asked: Why do you have no fear? She said: I have my God!
I asked: And what else do you have? She said: I have my people.
I asked: Is this all? She said: No, I also have my soul.
I asked: Are you grateful? She said: No, no.
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I asked: Which is your desire? She said: A smile.
I asked: Is there war? She said: The war is my path.
I asked: Who is Ötkür? She said: He is my servant.
I asked: Will you betray us? She said: No, no.
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