Renowned writer Judith Lindberg, who resides in New Jersey, USA, expressed her admiration for the poetry collection “Only Horses Are My Companions in This World” by Kazakh poet Yerbol Alshynbay, reports the national portal Adyrna, citing Abai.kz.
The American writer, who has a deep interest in nomadic culture, received a line-by-line English translation of these poems. She described her impressions as follows:
“With each section, I could feel the breath of the steppe, its energy. The relationship between the wild, untamed horses raised in the vast plains and the poet who writes about them is not just a personal connection—it also serves as a metaphor for the nomadic way of life and long-lost traditions. The lines ‘Ancient graves, forgotten cemeteries worn down by storms and time, turning into dust’ illustrate how the cultural heritage of the Kazakh people has been deeply buried in the past,” said Judith Lindberg.
She also paid close attention to the poet’s reflections on his childhood and his deep reverence for horses. The child, who once bonded with a black foal, later had to leave for the city due to modern demands, leaving traditions behind. However, the writer emphasized that this longing remains forever in one’s memory.
The section “Song of the Horse’s Bare Skull” symbolizes the loss of past traditions. However, in the final section, the return of the horses is described, which, for Lindberg, represents hope and spiritual revival.
“Under the vast sky of Tengri, nomadic culture does not lose its value,” she concluded.
Judith Lindberg expressed confidence that if she could read Kazakh poetry in its original language, she would be even more profoundly moved. Thus, Kazakh poetry and nomadic culture are finding deep appreciation even in distant America.
