Aziz Isa Elkun
Year!
Once more you have passed
I have no desire for a new one
Because you brought with you unbearable oppression for my people
Countless friends have disappeared
The humiliation of the Uyghurs reached its peak
All the lovers of freedom thrown into jail
No tears fall from our nation’s eyes without blood
But the world pretends to be blind …
They sell their humanity for profit
If this is what you offer me as a gift
How can I salute you today, New Year?
Year!
You thief of life since ancient times!
That’s why Lutun(1) answered you without fear
The enemy’s sword could not kill us all
But the Uyghurs were hardened
Became heroes on the battle field
Without being defeated!
Year!
I am like a moth burning myself on the fire
But I will not accept my weakness
If this is what you offer me as a gift
How can I say farewell to you
How can I salute you today, New Year?
Year!
The “tracks”(2) have become a monument for us
The fire of revenge burning in our hearts
The great caravan has set out on its journey
Though its destination is a road with no return
World, listen to us!
The earth has become too narrow for the stateless Uyghurs
And my people have scattered to the seven continents
Innocent lives begging for humanity
While being a Uyghur has become a crime
If this is what you offer me as a gift
How can I salute you today, New Year?
Year!
In our unjust land, our fists are clenched with rage
No patience left, we are ready to sacrifice for our independence
Life is on the edge, with no meaning left in it for us
The Uyghur problem is still not cured, though it has lasted a century
But the year has taught us tough lessons
And we are now dedicated to the struggle
Let’s stop our tears and start to act
If this is what you offer me as a gift
I will salute the New Year with joy!
31 December 2017, London
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(1) Lutun: pen name of Lutpulla Mutellip, nationalist poet and writer, executed in Aqsu on 18 September 1945, aged 22. He wrote a well-known poem called “Yillargha Jawab” (Answer to the Years)
(2) Tracks (iz), footprints in the desert sand: title of a historical novel written by Abdurehim Otkur in 1985, which became a nationalist symbol for Uyghurs.
Read the original version of this poem in Uyghur:
قانداق كۈتەي سېنى بۈگۈن يېڭى يىل
www.azizisa.org/qandaq_kutey_seni_yengi_yil/
Listen to audio version in Uyghur language:
www.azizisa.org/elkun_poem/Qandaq_kutey_yengi_yil_A_Salam.mp3