Aziz Isa Elkun
I can hear faint music
It comes from outside like a ghost
I guess it comes from an old piano
An old lady plays
Missing her sweetheart…
It slowly reaches my window
“You are welcome” I said to myself
“Can you cleanse my depressed soul?”
Then the piano becomes louder
I believe music can heal our feelings of rage
Inspire our poems
So pure and innocent
So kind and sympathetic
It brings things back to you
Maybe beautiful memories you have lost.
Now I love to listen to music
Any music I can find from my home
I turn on the radio and tune it to a music channel
But there’s an advert going on
They’re talking about women’s lipstick
I search for music on a CD
Uyghur muqam?
European classical?
World music….?
Too many choices
Because she loves music
I close my eyes and pick one.
I like to listen to music when I feel sad
It’s the only thing I can find in these days
free of politics and conflict.
It gives me courage, joy and hope
I can hear my tomorrow in it
Like the shining African sun, so bright!
18th July 2018, London
* Read Uyghur translation of this poem: http://www.azizisa.org/muzika