See below for a rough translation by moi (very difficult if I may add) of Cabdullaahi Suldaan’s Tima-cadde’s poem “Ammaan-Dumar” (Praise of a woman). Tima-cadde is mostly known for his Kana-Siib-Kana-Saar and Dugsi-ma-leh-Qabyaaladi-Waxay-Dumiso-Mooyaane poems. Similarly to Cilmi Boodhari’s unrequited love poems; he laments how his love is not reciprocated. My guess is that the woman he fell in love with was his maid:

Oh woman, I have lost my poetic prowess,
These lonely days. I have neglected it altogether
When people talk, I silently whisper to myself
But tonight you forced me to speak, I wouldn’t have expected it
When one cuts a stick from a branch in the forest, he does it with utmost care

 

Like a notable soul inflamed with a passionate heart,
If they add up Africa, Asia and Europe altogether
Survey through the lands of New York, the Islamic and Christian countries
There is not a living soul amongst mankind that is comparable to you
But alas for praise for a woman in the past, many men stand accused

 

For those who fell hopelessly in love with Hodan and Hibo
Boodhaari’s heart-struck praises fell on deaf ears
For if I declare my love for you, I will sadly repeat their unfruitful mistakes
So do not come running to me, announcing your marriage
And please do not serve my house anymore

 

For what is sufficient to me, why would I trouble you?
Would you accuse me, if I greet you with “cousin, how are you?
Would you lose your tongue, if you ask me how I am?
What would be my final destination, only my Lord knows
In this temporary world, I only one hold thing dear

 

Apart from Islaam, I love you the most
Like a young mare who has given birth, affectionately looking at her new-born
Like a turtle feeding her son with loving eyes
You are still not convinced that my heart is only inclined to you
And you do not know my sufferings [unrequited love] have astonished many men

Soomaali:

Inan-yahay asluub gabay baryahaan, uurka kuma hayn e.
Ayaamahaba waataan ka hadhay, ededefkiisiiye.
Markii uumiyuhu wada hadlaan, aashay gaabsaday e.
Caawana aday gelinayee, ma idhaahdeen e.
Ul haddaad ka jaran kaynta waa, la iska eegaaye.

 

Ruuxii ikhyaaraa qalbigu, u intihooodaaye.
Afrika iyo Eeshiyo Yurub, aradka Nuuyaak, ah,
Islaamiyo Maasixiga haddii, laysku soo urursho
Midi aan adiga kuu dhigo la waa, uumiga nool e
Ha yeeshee ammaan dumar horey, niman u eedeene.

 

Aadan iyo kuwii Hodan Cabdiyo, Hibo ku eedaaday,
Boodhari ixsaan kagama helin, ereyadiisiiye.
Anna way aqoon-xumo, haddii aan ku aamino e.
Waxba yaanad ii iman anoo, soo ardaa galay e
Waxba yaanad adeeg iiga qaban, aqalka hoostiis e

 

Inta aan u baahanahay maxa, kugu alhuumeeyey?
Inna-adeer ma nabad baa miyey, eedi kugu raaci?
Afku miyuu ku go’ayaa haddaad, iga akhbaar qaaddo?
Aakhiro halkan tegi rabigay, waa ogsoon yahay e.
Adduunyaduse shay keli ah baan, uurka ku hayaaye

 

Islaanimada Wixii aan ahayn, igaga iil dheer e,
Sidii geenyo ugub oo dhashay, ku ag wareegaysa
Ama diinku ubadka uu dhalo, eegmo ugu nuujo.
Uurkay jalleecaan miyaa, kaa ansixi waayey
Mise foosiyaay maba ogid, uunku ila yaabye