Under the blue sky
Next to snow-covered peaks
I have explored Kurdistan
Searching valley by valley

Neither in the towns nor in the villages
Can I find anyone
As exquisite as you
It is only
A lovely Kurdish lady who makes me happy
You are my fairy princess

You are neither slim nor plump
Neither a youth nor a mature woman
Your eyes are not very black
You are not full of blood
But for sweet looks
I have not seen anyone else
Who carries your attraction
It is only you
Moonlight smiles suit you
For your walks are like melodies

From the day I saw you
A love swept deep into my heart
If you are away for one moment
It is as if I am on fire
When my hands cannot reach you
My heart could not rest with anyone else
It is only you
The shelter of my dreams and hopes
The vision of my dear life

Before seeing you
My life was bitter
Without happiness and rest
Without hopes and goals
I felt homeless
Like I had no one
To lead me
It is only you
The guide of my hopes
The one that makes my hard life seem easy

You are a lovely lady
As beautiful as Venus
I worship you
That is why I am ecstatic
Some wonder about my religion
But they should know
It is just you

My religion and my beliefs
The goddess of the heaven of my lively heart
As a fanatic for an objective
I am neither Kurmanji nor Zazaki
I have explored all over Kurdistan
Just like a nomad
And nowhere I could find anyone
As exquisite as you

It is only you who is just like spring flowers
A beautiful Kurdish lady
Who else could revive Kurdistan

 

Translated from Sorani Kurdish and adopted to English language by Dr Rebwar Fatah

Goran, was born 1904 or 1905 in Halabja in south Kurdistan, into a family with royal descent. At the beginning of 1920's, Goran studied at the "Scientific School" in Kirkuk, but after the murder of his elder brother, he left his studies to take care of the family. Between 1923-37, he worked in nursery schools in Halabja and Hawraman. During the second world war he worked for a kurdish radiostation in Jaffa (Palestine), which belonged to the allied side, targeting the fascist nations. Goran was an active politician and fought for democracy and peace. Under the Iraqi monarchy, many dissident Kurds and communists were arrested. Goran was arrested in november 1951 and released 1952. Untill 1954, he was editor for the jounal JIN (Life). He was again arrested in late 1954, recieving one years sentence followed by another year of house arrest in the city of Badra. Goran was released but arrested again few months later. This time he stayed in prison untill august 1958, ie a month after Iraq transformed into a republic. On his release, Goran was recieved as a hero by the people and officials. He was chosen as a member for a delegation to visit Soviet Union, China and North Korea. In early 1959, he gained the position as editor in chief for the journal Shafaq (dawn, later changing name to Bayan). From autumn 1960, he was a teacher in Kurdish language and literature at the University of Bagdad. In early 1962, he was diagnosed with cancer and went to Moscow for treatment but died three months later in nevember 1962, after have had returned home to Kurdistan. Goran published his poems, articles and translations in majority of the Kurdish journals and newspapers between early 1930's and until his death. During his lifetime, two collections of his poetry were published, Paradise & Memory and Tears & Art in 1950. His other works were later published by his children.
 

 

Selected International Poems