Under the Mulberry Tree

Poetry from a Contemporary Uyghur Anthology

By Maidina Kadeer

Image by Camilla Dilshat.

Under the Mulberry Tree:
A Contemporary Uyghur Anthology (Volume 1)
(Revised Edition)
The Tarim Network, 2023

Untitled

By Maidina Kadeer

If I lived in a country that recognised and respected me, I’d be in my
ay-mummam’s garden, her head resting on my lap and the mountain
air caressing our skin in sweet tenderness. I’d see the roses bloom in
tones of red and purple, I’d serve Anars that poured like jewels we
no longer hid and the downward streams of its juices on our palms
would wash us away from yesterday. And when it rains it would pour
and my grandma would say a wolf was born, the thunder it’s doula
and the earth it’s mother.

Note: Ay-mummam translates to "my moon grandmother". Ay is the Uyghur word for moon, and is often used in Uyghur women’s names. Gül, or flower, is another common word added to the end of a name, often as a sign of endearment. These are just two examples of naturalistic elements used in Uyghur names.