SUFI POETRY IN SOMALI

Ladnaan jaano laanta 100 cuskadaay, noo soo

luI laydhdha khayrka leh

o branch which one grips for to reach the comforts
of Paradise, stir the wind which is blessed over us
(Text 13/27)
On the other hand, the wind may represent frivolity
and impermanence:
Duunyo waa laydh socote~, nin ladnaa 00 ku laxsan
00 laasta la waa

The world is like the blowing wind, a man who lives

233.

in comfort which is complete and lasts forever, cannot

be found

(Text 22/23)

Duunyo waa dabaylaha wiiflehee, claya kob siigo ka

duushayee

The world is like the blowing wind and like a place

~ from which a. dust-devil rises

(Text 10/35)

As bringers of rain, clouds are seen as positive images

which convey abundance and prosperity:

Daruur cilrni 00 arlada ku da'dow, dalaayad hadh weyn

dusheeda sudhow ~

o cloud of knowledge which has brought rain on the

land, 0 you who hung over it an umbrella with a vast

shade ~

(Text 19/15)

Daruurtii cilmigee, clalka nuurin jirow

o cloud of knowledge which illwninates the land

(Text 20/17)