Best Kazakhstan Poems
(Transit Lounge, Dubai International Airport, circa 2007)
He answered
that he was from far Kazakhstan,
“Exotic place,” he added,
which I know but could not pinpoint
on my mental map.
She smiled
and said, “I am from India somewhere
farther to the northeast bordering China.”
“Hence her fairer skin,” I thought.
And she piped in,
“From Ethiopia,” and I could not
but think of just how much she paid
to have her curly hair straightened.
From the counter
of their air-conditioned, compact
caravanserai, they all chorused
the suggestion that I opt
for king prawn salad
which, indeed, was so delicious
to the hungry eyes but just so rich
for my already travel-thinned billfold.
Thus I settled
for some salmon sandwich
and a bowl of curly noodles
that the Chinese had perfected
long ago in those steaming kitchens
of their fabled silk road inns.
“Fragrant tea
from out the hot and humid hills
of southern India,” the Ethiopian
said with flourish, bringing me
my mug to wash away
the fishy taste still lingering
along the silk roads
of my taste buds, as I vainly tried
to pinpoint far Kazakhstan
on my travel-weary mental map
while waiting, sleepy, for the call
to put me, once more,
on my way.
Drunk with the ecstasy of Divine Love
Dears emerge in union to sing praises
For victories as burdens lift and fall
Lift and fall
Drums rolling, trumpets toppling
Showing the way
All is blue, soft and sapphire
Waterfalls flow through our veins
Connecting strings and strands
As the Star of Dimash
Fill spring flowers in our lands
Dears ! Leap up to where
Ancestors gaze in silent wonder
Sitting in unspeakable joy of
Visions of light on the hills of our Globe
No expectations or judgement
As we take the notes of Dimash
Locking open our hearts to embrace
Ancient grids connecting
In exuberance
Run, dance, leap
Melt your luminous beauty
Listening to songs of wonder
Knowing deep in our own central suns
That the time is here
In an unfathomable fountain of
Powerful Peace
We searched for your slanting eyes
as you plucked a dombra
on hills of Kazakhstan
your circles of light
dancing, leaping, gyrating
making heath grow
in bundles
It sang your mission
Heaven on Earth
Heaven on Earth
ropes loosened, dangled
Where to ?
Into One Source
where we created you
so that love can
jump again in
black lashes
The snow fell lightly facing Tehran the stars all seemed to glow over the Capsien Sea from a heated Indian Ocean beholder of the Black Sea we hadn't battled cold like this an yet a deeply covered warmth seemed to cradle us beneath the blanket of whiteness from the snow capped mountains I bathed within the darkness beckoning Turkish chants Kurdish findings began to swell as we approached Turzikistan border my mind emptied over the darkened rush a canvas of clarity balanced virtue wondering when the vessel will raise over uncharted waters I craved Almaty wholesome wonder of Silk Road while I even began to notice hope springing from a fountain of lush memories gathered so beneath me glaring the fondness of it all as we sank in silence flashing lights embraced the craft as the Voss shore moved closer the clocks from the Kremlin chimed my thoughts totally on the consecration of Mary mother of God balanced over the middle east watching lucifer gloat over crude oil untimely measures grew more needed as righteousness burned very slowly on the ice masters of faint hues pulled hidden treasure from hidden nooks faucets burst with crystal clear waters while tar and oil sprang up from beneath covered wells lessons sang loudly with greed no one noticed the hungry the unclothed nor the sick in need
Written 3-23 2024 by Mrs Yolanda Joy Nicholsen
Though ice may coat my outward guise,
Inside, my Kazakh flame still flies!
Oh, my people, for your rise,
I was born to seek the skies!
Why must a chosen few divide,
The land’s vast wealth, its rightful pride?
The fight goes on, unyielding and strong,
For every soul here should belong.
From child to elder, none denied,
In this nation's treasures, all have a side.
Gold, copper, gas, and uranium’s glow,
God has blessed this land below!
A noble people, pure of blood,
Once sacred, now tainted by greed’s flood.
The system corrupt, we point in blame,
But we must cleanse hearts to heal the same.
The greedy devour, their hunger obscene,
True equality could only redeem.
Yet those who bring strife, chaos, and shame,
Will bear the curse of the people’s name.
Though death may come, a shroud their due,
They’ll lie in earth, no riches in view.
With my verses, I seek to inspire,
To light the youth with a brighter fire.
Empower the youth, and watch them soar,
Dreams fulfilled, they’ll strive for more.
Proudly they'll call this land their own,
In a future of peace, the Kazakh is known!