Homeland, I Sing of You

In the white and black passageway,  

I am stepping one by one.  

With words in my hand… a single tune,  

Homeland, I sing of you.

The path of my life is long thread,  

I do not know where it will end.  

If they say, “Love,” I will be filled,  

Homeland, I love you deeply.

Is it a tree, one branch,  

Even if I’m alone, I will rejoice.  

If they set me ablaze,  

I will burn as “Homeland.”

The spring water is oh so sweet,  

I will drink it to my heart’s content.  

What is value, they may ask?  

Homeland, I understand you.

To my father and mother,  

I will open my arms wide.  

To my most sacred phrase,  

Homeland, I will write of you.

—

O’tkir Mulikboyev Qo’chqor o’g’li  

Teacher of Primary Education  

75th School, Qo’shrabot District,  

Samarkand Region, Uzbekistan

SNOW WITNESS, LIGHT WITNESS

A lonely wanderer sits in the silence,  

The heavens do not spread the grievances of yesterday.  

A feeble message asking for forgiveness.  

On the evening when the moon sets, my thoughts linger.

Cold winter brings sparks in the snow,  

Autumn has gathered the wanderer’s blanket early.  

The hunter will not give up his warm place,  

Longing torments, trust is fading away.

Days and weeks remain in the past,  

Pride does not allow remembrance of the greetings.  

Perhaps it will rise, self-concealing,  

The wretched love has captured the heart.

On the dark night, he heads back home,  

Who knocks behind the window?  

The vision of the girl comes to mind,  

He hurriedly looks at the window, silent.

He returns again, he gazes once more.  

Snow falls, hearts melt in its warmth.  

Today is a symbol of the happiness he’s received,  

The girl appears, preserving the ring in her palm.

Wrapped in a passionate smile, the world unfolds.  

Clouds disperse, and the moon captures the light.  

Two youthful hearts that have forgotten grievances.  

Snow witness, light witness, sorrow dissipates.

Snow is Falling

Snow is falling, wishes abound,  

Like silk draping in golden hands.  

Children run eagerly from behind,  

Hurry up, dear Snowman, to our land.

Let sparkles scatter across the ground,  

Whoever enters the path of joy.  

Some will turn into gnomes, it’s profound,  

Holding sweet cotton in each little boy.

The fir trees sway, showing their height,  

While little hearts spin with delight.  

If the lights flicker and fade away,  

Joy ignites on faces, bright as day.

The forest becomes a lively scene,  

The grand show begins, it’s quite a dream.  

As the forest shadows come out to play,  

Fox, rabbit, bear, and wolf display.

A moment of awe gleams from the eyes,  

It wraps the heart in tender ties.  

The snowy peaks, cloaked in white’s embrace,  

Even the elders feel thrilled in this space.

Shaking off worries, carefree we stand,  

Hopes of children join hand in hand.  

Feelings of youth come rushing back,  

A sense of happiness, filling the crack.

The sound of hooves rings throughout the air,  

“Snowman!” cries the little ones in flair.  

With a long beard resting on his chest,  

A sack of gifts sprawled on his quest.

All of existence lends itself to song,  

The snow melts away the heart’s frozen throng.  

As I peek from the window at dawn,  

A wondrous world waits, brightly drawn.

Believing in fairytales, I feel so right,  

In this moment, I’m a child of delight.