New Year, how can I salute you today?

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!

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An Unanswered Telephone Call

Aziz Isa Elkun

On a bright midsummer morning when you take your little girl’s hand and walk to school listening the birds singing on the way along the narrow footpath, you feel thankful to life that today will be one of your best days full of enjoyment just like any other day that you have hastily left behind you.

At that moment I was feeling this happiness, walking with my daughter, holding her hand and telling her funny stories about nature. In our magical imagination, my little girl and I turned into sparrows and flew singing among the birds on top of the big oak tree. From our home to school, we walk along three different tree covered narrow pavements, we need to cross several small roads and it takes us fifteen minutes walking.

Sometimes it’s quite difficult for us to pass people on the narrow pavement. Sometimes our way is blocked by young mothers with double buggies and tearful toddlers. We are lucky today; we meet a lady and her little girl whom I’ve known for several years. Her daughter is in my daughter’s class, and we often meet in the playground or at our children’s activities outside school. Her name is Lucie. She is French, from Nice, and she moved to London a few years ago.

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The British winter

Aziz Isa Elkun

The British winter
is wildest at the sea shore
A day here begins and ends –
Though it seems green everywhere
The Sun shines a little bit around breakfast
Then non stop changes follow …
First sudden storms,
Then showers and we are covered with dark clouds
Falls rain, hail, snow and so on …
No description about the nasty wind.
That’s why we all wear hoodies
Plus warm hats
Then the Sun comes out
With a big smile before it says farewell
The day finally ends with a rainbow
Just at the dusk
Before it sinks to the ocean.

12 February 2018, South Molton, UK