Magjan Jumabayev Poem by Marat Yermukanov

Poems of Magjan Jumabayev, a free-thinking Kazakh poet (1893-1938)have never been published in the Soviet Union until the political thaw of late 80s, just before the independence of Kazakhstan. During the years of Stalinist reprisals he was constantly persecuted by authorities for belonging to Alash Kazakh nationalist movement and was subsequently arrested by infamous NKVD (Soviet security police)in 1938. He was exiled to Siberia and was shot there.
His liberal outlook did not fit into the rigid framework of Soviet ideology and with his rebellious verses he stepped over the boundaries set by authorities. The poem below, translated by me from Kazakh, reveals his deep-running strong emotions and an unbridled thirst for freedom of love, something unheard-of in the conservative environment he lived. This style of writing based on short lines consisting of two or three syllables are not typical for traditional Kazakh poetry. That reflects Magjan Jumabayev's innovative creative spirit.


After Afanasy Fet

A tender night -
All is quiet
Twittering,
Glittering.
Lovers dating
Inebriated.
Hearts throb,
Tears drop.
Moon shines bright
Over a ravine wide.
Nightingale,
Sings in vale.
Loved ones…
Passion runs.
Soft lips,
Fiery kisses.
Forest deep
In sleep.
Rustles,
Hustles.
Sighs,
Murmurs.
Through foggy morn,
Comes the dawn!