Poetry & Art Feature: Voice of the Kurdish Girl - Dengê Keça Kurd

Kurdish Herald Vol. 1 Issue 4, August 2009 - Poetry by Perwer Shushi

Is it not enough, such ignorance? These rusty thoughts bring us sorrow

We Kurdish girls and women are neither voiceless nor without honor

To live in freedom, we are made warriors by our existence

For liberty and equality, we are in constant battle

We are intelligent and wise, not lazy nor foolish

We will resist your command, do not think we are fainthearted

We do not accept your force, we shall be doves of peace

Brave, bold, and fearless, we are sunshine among clouds

Success of Kurdish women, for us it is notable

Why show discontent, disbelief and be doleful?

The struggle of women has become known to the world

Is it due to your pride you refuse to be proud?

Or is it so-called honor that has become what has torn our hearts

Honor is a fine excuse only for those who slay and take part

They spread these habits for their interests and pleasure

Where is your heart and your conscience? This nation is being withered

Honor is neither woman nor man, honor is in only this land

Honor is in hands of our common foe, so enough with your bigotry

Male and Female alike, must together share a free home

Until when must I say, a horse cannot live alone?

Gelo bese pasketin, ji hizrêt jengî dil tengîn
Em keç û jinêt Kurda, ne bê rûmet û bê dengîn
Ji bû jîyana serbest, serkerîn em deng bi zengîn
Bu azadî wek hevî, em tim bi hawar û cengîn

Em zana û pisporîn, ne lawaz û ne zarokîn
Ber singê te dê girîn, hizir neke tirsinûkîn
Zorîyê pesind nakeyn, ji bû astîyê kevokîn
Ç ak û çeleng û çespan, nava ewran da em rûkîn

Serkeftina keça Kurd, ji bo me ew serfirazî
Ç ima hemberî keçan, bê bawerin û ne razî?
Xebata keça Kurdi, li cîhan deng da bi gazî
Yan bû we kêmatî ye, hûn bi me bibin sanazî?

Yan jî gelo keç namûse? Lew ta nûke dil let lete
Yên bi keç kojîyê mest, namûs bu wan xos hêcete
Bû berjewendî yên xu, belav kirî ev edete
Ka we dil? Ka we derun? We pas êxist ev milete

Namûs ne keç u ne kur, namûsa me tenha xake
Me namûs di dest dujmin, bes li me rakin hîlake
Nêr û mê herdo wek hev, serbest bijîn eve çake
Gelo ta kengî bêjim, hespe tine tozê nake!

Kurdish poet, Perwer Shushi