Saturday, June 25, 2011

Axmed Xayle Geerida Ku Timid – The Ahmed Haile We Lost

Axmed Xayle geerida ku timid,                   The death that took away Ahmed Haile
ee galbisay maanta                                      which made him disappear today                 
Geyigeena waxay uba ahayd,                      It meant catastrophic disaster                 
Guuldariyo hooge                                        for our motherland
Nabadoon gar gala buu ahaa,                     He was an elder and a peace maker
geesi gacan wayne                                       known for his courage and generosity 
Agoon gaawa maran baynu nahay,             We are now broke and orphans
ginina aan haysan                                        we are indeed empty handed
Afar uu gob ku ahaa balaan,                        Let me mention four things
goobta ka caddeeyo                                      for which he was respected

Dadkoo gees u kala boodayoo,                    People girding up their loins for war  
nabadu geed fuushay                                    and peace vanishes away                 
Hubkoo laysu guranahayoo,                        People arming themselves to the teeth
gawrac laysla maagay                                 to be ready for a mass slaughter  
Garaad iyo Islaan iyo Malaaq,                    When chiefs, elders and other leaders
Midiba gees raacay                                      add fuel to the fire
Isagoon gabanahayn haddana,                    He was there fearless and determined
ridayn gartii eexo                                         just and impartial
Geeshkii gulufka u fadhiyay                         He counseled the warring factions
Qoloba gaarkeeda                                       reasoning with each group                 
Garansiiyay inay kala galbadaan,              Convincing them to disband
nabadu waa guul e                                      for victory is in peaceful coexistence

Nin ragoo gabanno uu dhalay,                   A father unable to feed his own children
uu gambo u waayay                                    who is penniless and empty handed
Gurigiisu uu maran yahoo,                         And there is no food in his home
gaaridii ay yaabtay                                     his wife is bewildered
Gurbood aan wax garano aqoon,              Little hungry children 
gaajo lagu seexdo                                       unable to sleep
Axmed Xayle yaa loo gudaa,                      That is when Ahmed Haile’s home
guriga kiisaahe                                           receives such needy visitors
Wixii Guule siiyay buu yira,                       He gives to them sacrificially
buuxso gacantaada                                    until they are not hungry anymore

Cilmi kii la garan waayo oo,                     When an academic solution is needed
galti bixin waydo                                        and novices are confused
Isagaa loo gayn jiray xaajadii,                   That is when they called him
garasho loo waayo                                      for he was well prepared  
Jaamacado nin galay buu ahaa,                 He attended a number of universities
Oo gunaanadaye                                         and graduated with honors
Masaladi la garan waayay buu,                  He provided the solution needed
gaanka ka cadayne                                      with clarity and eloquence
Aqoon gaamurtay buu lahaa,                      The wise man we lost
garasho dheeruhuye                                     was well educated

Kaftan aan gedaafe lahayn,                         When it was time for lighthearted jokes  
Gogosha uu joogo                                        and he is there with the people
Googaalaysi iyo sheeko ay,                          Elders start with riddles and stories
guud caddu bilowdo                                     these are the respected leaders  
Gebi aftahan intii isu fishaa,                         When all the gifted people speak
Goobta wax ka sheegto                                 in idioms with figurative meaning
Guurow iyo wixii gabay halkaa,                   Poems with evocative qualities
geeraar laga sheego                                      are well recited
Gebagebada isagaa lahaa,                           The conclusion was rightfully his
Guubaabiyo sheeko                                       with stories and commendation

Maantase haddii uu galbaday,                      But he left us today
waa xaq geeriduye                                         for all will die as ordained by God
Nebiyadii Eebbahen ee go’uu,                      He is fellowshipping today
gogol la joogaaye                                         with the departed prophets of God
Inna sida gobti yaan u caban,                      and we mourn in dignity
Guulaha awoodda le                                    for God is almighty and powerful
Ummadduu gargaarka u aha,                     The nation whose succor he was
Yaa guhaad badane                                     is in great anguish today
Geyigooda nabad uga yeel,                         Bestow peace and stability
goor iyo ayaanba                                         on our motherland


This poem was composed and translated by Brother Warsameh
May 04, 2011

Proofreading by MG

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