كناية

“The Night Came..”

A poem by the Kurdish poet, Nali (1800-1877) Translated into English by Hikmet Elhadj

The night came and I was drunk with the dream of someone

I’m having trouble breathing In this room,

I am lying in front of the window and reading

You say I am a butterfly in the corner of the cage I am both Farhad’s heir and Majnun’s successor

Don’t think I’m a beggar, honey

My neck is yours do whatever you want, or hang a necklace on it,

Don’t think I’m an ignorant guy By God, my helmet will take the wheel off I wish I had hands

Do not believe that I am the soul of your sect

I was half-rested for your arrival

I say straight away that I am a door dog and an opponent

I remember that I am a dog! You have that dog and he brings me to you I mean, come on, Nali, I’m also the judge!