Work
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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 Hopelessness
My soul, leave my body and go back to the skies, The era of spirit is gone, we live in dark times. I beg of you, do not accept this vile world again, O, Sun don’t rise, hide, turn into a muddy stain....
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Gabdulla Tukay Without Title
A poet has to know what songs he sings, His nation has a soul, and he must touch its strings. Life is hard, so his rhymes are filled with sadness, Forget your stupid jokes and joyful madness. Long, d...
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Gabdulla Tukay A Holiday in Childhood
Childhood in his memory a poet keeps, Everyone has a dream, both bitter and sweet. Holiday comes, I wish I were a child, to laugh and play, The eve of Garafa saw sadness swept away. I recall how impa...
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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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Gabdulla Tukay To Genius
On this world you witnessed darkness fall, You had to find a spark, some lofty goal. Determined to succeed, no thought you had of rest, Marching courageously, passing every test. What happened to...
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Gabdulla Tukay Immorality
We have no respect for morale or decency, Hopeless we are, our souls are so shady. No better than a thief who hunts his prey, We’ve become cautious with everything we say. If one is bright but poor,...
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Gabdulla Tukay Betrayed
I had enough of mockery to crack my heart, We were together but now it is time to part. Not to the Quran’s ayats you chose to adhere, You deceived me with sweet nothings, now it is clear. My passion...
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Gabdulla Tukay The Prophet
When Allah chose me as a prophet who will teach His word, I took it as a bond that I’ll never breach. I am his humble servant, time has come to preach Eternal truths, good equally for poor and rich....
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Gabdulla Tukay Eulogy
...You’ve finally departed, kitty cat… Farewell, my lovely purry pet! Honored as a saint upon demise, You were so merciless to mice... 1911 В оригинале на татарском: Мияубикә (Мәрсия) В пере...
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Gabdulla Tukay Truth and Lies
There was nothing but water ages ago. Truth and Lies swam together - two bitter foes. Almighty Tengri sent them just one boat, But they were eager to cut each other’s throat. It didn’t take long bef...
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