THE ROLE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE POEM "KETIB QOLMA OROLIM" IN THE WORK OF MUHAMMAD YUSUF

Abstract

This article explores the thematic and symbolic weight of Muhammad Yusuf’s emotionally charged poem "Ketib qolma, Orolim" (“Don’t Leave, My Aral!”), a powerful lyrical reflection on the environmental tragedy of the Aral Sea. Positioned within the broader corpus of the poet’s nationalistic and humanistic verse, the poem serves as both an ecological lament and a metaphorical protest. Through an analysis of the poem in its original Uzbek form, the article uncovers layers of meaning related to loss, identity, nature, and existential anxiety. It also highlights how Yusuf transforms a regional ecological crisis into a universally relatable cry for cultural and spiritual preservation.