Album : Poem (Asefru) [ENG]
 

Just a quick word to those who want this majestic and moving tribute in English. This isn’t a literal translation! I’ve played with some of the lines to facilitate scanning so it isn’t word for word but it captures the sentiments. I haven’t counted syllables in the original this time either so I’ve set my own rhythm. I haven’t tried to rhyme – it’s too time-consuming and I’d have needed to adjust the verse even more – so I’ve used alliteration as the poetic device to bind it. Lounis would sympathise; since, with all the limitations I have imposed on his verse, it still knocks your socks off when you read it with the music!

Hmed was a brave man. In the euro-centric world I inhabit his extraordinary courage is lost else. So, I’m certain Lounis will forgive me for putting in the odd word and adjusting the sense (but not the sentiments). The sub-title is to help English speakers who may be familiar with the Robin Hood legends and will find it hard to unearth anything in English about Hmed Oumerri.

Zixi


Hmed Oumerri
Robin Hood of the Kabyle.

His assassins surprised him
They as one betrayed his trust
For in truth it is said:
When a Kabyle emerges
He finds his own assassin
And so Hmed Oumerri
Like a star disappeared…

All boast his bravery
What ten should defy
He faced fearless alone.
We revolt at unity
And so Hmed Oumerri.

Valour has nothing to fear
It chooses without caprice
And when it solicits you
Conceit is no defence.
Fear rather them to be foul
Without courage or candour
When they spout their excess
And sit safe on their backsides.

Their supporters exceed ours
And the rules of their games
Escape us:
The cities are their playgrounds
And human heads their toys
If they lose fifty
They have a hundred in reserve
If they lose fifty…


Zixi
February 17th 2006, England