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Birds

Kajal Ahmad

According to the latest classification, Kurds
now belong to a species of bird
which is why, across the torn, yellowing pages
of history, they are nomads spotted by their caravans.
Yes, Kurds are birds! And even when
there’s nowhere left, no refuge for their pain,
they turn to the illusion of travelling
between the warm and the cold climes
of their homeland. So naturally,
I don’t think it strange that Kurds can fly.
They go from country to country
and still never realise their dreams of settling,
of forming a colony. They build no nests
and not even on their final landing
do they visit *Mewlana to enquire of his health,
or bow down to the dust in the gentle wind, like **Nali.


Kajal Ahmad

translated by Mimi Khalvati and Choman Hardi

Reproduced by permission of the translators.

Tags:

exile home identity Kurdish stereotypes transience Translations

About this poem

*Mewlana Jalaludin Rumi (1207-1273)

**Refers to a famous line from Nali, 19th century Sorani Kurdish poet (1798-1855): I sacrifice myself to your dust – you gentle wind! / Messenger familiar with all of Sharazoor!

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Kajal Ahmadb.1967

Kajal Ahmad was born in Kirkuk in Iraqi Kurdistan in 1967. She began publishing her poems at the age of 21, and has gained a considerable reputation for her brave, poignant and challenging poetry, a notable feat in Kurdish...
More about Kajal Ahmad

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