Poochhe Af Somali: Koi Mere Dil Se

Someone, anyone, ask my heart—

Two civilizations. One longing. No translation needed. Only a sigh, a haan , and a hand over the chest. koi mere dil se poochhe af somali

— A fusion of yearning, spoken in two ancient tongues of longing Someone, anyone, ask my heart— Two civilizations

My heart would reply in heer —the old camel caravan rhythm— slow, bruised, and impossibly tender. Waa maxay kaligaa? Waa maxay jacaylka aan la sheegi karin? (What is this loneliness? What is this love that cannot be narrated?) The answer: It is the tabla and the durbaan playing the same heartbeat. It is Faarax singing Qaraami (classic love poetry) on a crackling radio. It is Lata Mangeshkar’s ghost learning Somali just to say: "Waan ku jeclahay, magacaa?" (I love you. What is your name?) The Closing Stanza Koi mere dil se poochhe — To main kahoon: Ye dil Hargeisa hai, Lekin iska ishq Lucknow ka hai. (Someone ask my heart — I would say: This heart is Hargeisa, But its love is from Lucknow.) Only a sigh, a haan , and a hand over the chest