Abai Kunanbaev

Spring

Spring came and melted the snow and ice.

The earth was covered in soft velvet.

Freed from winter's hibernation and heartache

all that lives dings with its heart to warmth and light.

The birds fly in and spring entered the blossoming garden,

and the youths made a racket like fledglings.

The old men rose again as from the grave

and are honestly happy to meet again their friends.

The families hurry to their kinsmen in the nearby aul:

embraces, exclamations—a happy commotion.

Young laughter is carried on the air in triumph.

The people have shaken off the winter worries.

Sharp cries come from the she-camels and the lambs

bleat in the yard.

Butterflies and birds flutter in the ravines.

Powerful streams burble, wind and flow

under the fixed gaze of trees and flowers.