1912

• Gabdulla Tukay Tatar Youth 

  I am really proud of our Tatar youth. I like the way they learn, discovering the truth. Their thoughts are so inspiring, deep and bright, Talented young people – what a joyful sight! This generation...

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• Gabdulla Tukay I Will Not Sell Out

  A sacred work for people was to you assigned. But then a bunch of fiends entrapped your mind. They said you must adjust to this imperfect age, Unless against its rules you plan a war to wage. This tr...

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• Gabdulla Tukay Evening Wish 

  The light in the flickering lamp is about to expire, I have a burning ember in my breast, my thoughts are dire. I better hurry up with my poem – the lamp is out of oil, Not sure what I wrote makes se...

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• Gabdulla Tukay Recollections

  Life in paradise – that’s what Iblis recalls when he is tired, I am tired of myself, I wish I was again a child. Those days my soul, like water in the creek, was fresh and clear, Green as the shoot...

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• Gabdulla Tukay The Critic 

  I wrote a myriad verses, some are good, I’m told. Yet, my critics always find plenty in them to scold. For each of us these folks will find a scathing word. I have a friend: his words are sharper th...

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• Gabdulla Tukay Comments on Love 

  Opinions vary on what real love is worth, Great Heine thought it was a star that fell on earth. Yes, on earth, but in manure, in dirt it fell, Wrapping up the universe in slops and toxic smell The...

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• Gabdulla Tukay Kazan and Beyond 

  The city of Kazan up on a hill is radiant like a torch, Tall as a candle is each mosque, minaret, and church. Kazan, your light shines forth for other towns so bright, Showing all and sundry, which wa...

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• Gabdulla Tukay Not Funny

  Some things may sound quite funny in a poem of mine, And yet it speaks of suffering, of our curse’s sign. The tortures of my soul, indeed, they make me laugh, How long am I doomed to suffer, as thoug...

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• Gabdulla Tukay Potatoes and Enlightenment

  From America, potato, you’ve made your journey here, Enlightenment arrived from Europe, which is near. O, potato, at first you looked so odd and weird, People were prejudiced to you and thought you a...

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• Gabdulla Tukay Sick in the Country 

  Winter, I pine in the village, hopelessly ill, In summer, peasants labored so hard, now all is still. I feel lazy too, taking a break with other men, Hoping come spring to be healthy again. My poems...

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