The English translation and the Assyrian recital of the poem Echoes from the Tomb of Jonah. Echoes from the Tomb of Jonah How can I escape my skin, and wear a new skin? If I was to flee my skin What about my blood? How can I escape my blood? How can I uproot this Iraq From my roots, and escape everything? Who will mix me some potion, and heal me from this Iraq of my roots? Who? Is there anyone answering to my cries? Or, I have to set all of my resources on fire Those precious black resources So that this heartless world would feel for me? An old man on the banks of Zab Whispered two proverbs Blood is thicker than water, A humans worth is in his land, and the oxens in his hide Then he went back in to puffing balloons of smoke From under his hat. I am not fleeing my skin because I do not love my skin I love my skin And all skins! I am not fleeing my blood because I do not love my blood I love my blood And all bloods! If I was to flee, how am I to flee If I flee Who would bring the flight of this evil swarm We know not from where it was swept to here Was it conceived in the west, Or was it here that it was formed? This curse, Which we do not know from where it had came out Yet it is driving me out of my skin And everything, Including Nineveh! Crucified on With you we shall strike our enemies*1*, and contemplating Deliver us from evil for thine is Nineveh, and As we forgave those that trespassed against us..., I raised my head to cry aloud: Do not forgive them my Lord For they know what they are doing Yet, my lips could not pronounce this either. Oh why do I love all skins Just as I love my own? How can I escape my skin So that I do not open my eyes and see my Nineveh in destruction But wakeup in the heart of security Lifting my head and greet peace! Tell me Nineveh How many Qatine*2* should fall on your bosom For you to return to your former glory?! *1*A typical inscription found on the Church of the East crosses. *2*The hero of the modern Assyrians national epic, the famous prosimetrum of Qatine the Great.
Posted on: Sat, 16 Aug 2014 10:24:04 +0000
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