Our Somalia

There is a place right here in my heart,
Nourished within me everywhere I go.
The cool sands of Hamar tickling
My toes out of every cry or moan.

Sunshine replicated
In the mirrors of the river Shabelle.
The grand mountains of Sheikh and Bari…
What a feast for the hungry…but then...
What better panorama has Mother Earth on offer?

I nourish within me these scenes of my land
Children at play carefree in their land
I pray for the whole body:
Land, Sea, River,  Lake, Mountain
Flora and fauna.

And "us" the people, Muslim, wholesome,
Not the pieces thrown here and there.
I pray for the whole body blessed,
In the name of Allah unified
Having no wish for any sickly pie, dispersed,
Handed down to divide, disgraced.
I cherish the term “we” the collective “us”
Not “i” or “they”.

I dream of the milky white Ari of "our" land
The dazzling speech of “our” moon
North and South, East and West,
Sky is the limit
Our geel to graze, proud, majestic
A free herd
Coming home everywhere they gaze:
Lascanood and Hargeisa
Bandar Qaasim and Las Qorey
Barava and Borame
Marca, Jowhar, and Kismayo
Sweet scents of uunsi and anbar, everywhere we go.

Farewel, boys! Farewel!
O you with the Pen,  Unity!
May the pens be dipped in the Springs of Baidabo.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------Copyright . Safi Abdi 2005, edited 2007