DUAL Poetry Podcast

This week's poem is by Maxamed Ibraahin Warsame 'Hadraawi' from Somalia/Somaliland. The poem is read first in English translation by WN Herbert and then in Somali by Hadraawi. If you enjoy this poem and would like to find out more about Maxamed Ibraahin Warsame 'Hadraawi' and all the other poets we've translated, please visit our website www.poetrytranslation.org. 

 If you would like to support the Poetry Translation Centre please visit poetrytranslation.org/support-us

Direct download: PP_Amazment_by_Hadraawi_3.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:00am UTC

This poem is called 'Taste' by Asha Lul Mohamud Yusuf from Somalia/Somaliland. The poem is read first in English translation by Clare Pollard and then in Somali by Asha.

Direct download: PP_Caasha_Taste_4.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:00am UTC

There is a constant struggle in Turkey between being oneself and having to fit into a mould – a mould shaped by nationalistic values and imposed by a majority – which makes daily life extremely difficult for people who come from one of the many minority communities. This state of struggle and in-betweenness is described in the poem ‘Uniform’ – from school days dressed in ‘mouse grey’ skirts all the way to adulthood.

The human suffering, the yearning for love and hope, portrayed in Karakaşlı’s poems is the daily reality for people in many parts of the world. Beyond specific historical and cultural contexts, Karin Karakaşlı’s poetry is a beautiful expression of the human soul: with all its darkness and light, including all the many shades of emotions and thoughts in between, seeking to build a common language through poetry.

Canan Marasligil, from her introduction to Karin's Chapbook History-Geography

If you enjoy this podcast and would like to support the Poetry Translation Centre please visit poetrytranslation.org/support-us

Direct download: uniform01.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:00pm UTC