Dear friends! Please meet a national poetess of Uzbekistan and my hero, Halima Khudoyberdiyeva:
Live proudly
I am not able to know: Is this world wisdom or gold?
I wished all the magic revealed, every time, but was surprised,
They see my palace in detail, and a special room I hold,
But no friend I find to see my heart or for care to arise.
A thought has settled in my soul like a bodkin and a shot,
I ask you: never fall, because a fallen man has no support!
Jackdaws move away from you, even gardens step aside,
Thank you for your cultivation, do you, like them, take offense?
The mounts that you lifted up you can calmly leave behind,
Come near, but be not distressed if a stone won’t confess.
Grown tired, if you wish to lean, no garden, almond – spoilt,
I ask you: never fall, because a fallen man has no support!
If you have not only a taking but a good aid-giving friend,
Stand up straight yourself and every pillar in the world will fall.
Even if you have a friend that’s going to the grave – till the end,
Go yourself to death and never on the way depart at all.
Live proudly!
And when mourning act as if you’re a lucky man, in short.
I ask you: never fall, because a fallen man has no support!
(Translated by Azam Abidov)
