love

songs

in motion

Cusbitaalka boholyowga

‘The hospital of longing’

Poem by Xasan Daahir Ismaaciil ‘Weedhsame’

Text is as recited on a Voice of America (VoA) broadcast

Translation by Abdihakim Omer and Christina Woolner

The pill of love
Take it to get better
Taxlii [blessed holy water] of the suffering
Drink three cups per day
The counter-charm of the sufferer
Wear it on the wrist and neck
If the disease will not leave
In the love hospitals
Lie down [to get away] from your frustrations

[In the] hospital of longing
The patients are weak
The people thinner than a toothbrush stick
Being awake [through the night] is normal
The syringe [IV drip] is the cuud
The food is qaraami
You wear only red clothes
Other clothes you would not wear

There are sheikhs in the area
Giving famous lessons
Their first lesson [medication] is
The person who is not your destiny
Don’t criticize [them]
When she gets divorced
Or his hair turns grey
You may get married
Don’t criticize the love

Caashaqa kiniinkiisa
Bal cun inaad ka soo rayso
Cabashada taxliisheeda
Saddex koob dharaartii cab
Camashada qardhaasteeda 
Curcurkiyo ku xidho qoorta
Hadduu cudurku tagi waayo
Jacaylada cillaajkooda
Iska jiifso caalwaaga
 
Cusbitaalka boholyowga
Bukaan jiifku waa caato
Duul caday ka dhuudhuuban
Saamaleelku waa caadi
Sayloonku waa cuudka
Cuntaduna qaraam weeye
Dhar casaana mooyaane 
Calal kale ma xidhanaysid
 
Culimaa ku sugan goobta
Duruus caan ah bixinaysa
Casharkoodna koowaadna
Qofka calafku kuu diiday
Waa lama cambaareeyo
Iyadoo carmaliyowday
Ama uu cirroba yeeshay
Waa intaad is-cugataane
Muxabbada ha ceebaynin