Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
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2
O poart ctre poezia arab
Versiunea n limba romn, prefa i note: Marius Chelaru
Gateway to Modern Arabic Poetry
Prepared and Translated from Arabic by
Munir Mezyed
Edited by
Prof. Abdul-Settar Al-Assady
Cadeau de
http://matarmatar.net/vb
2008
3
Editie tiparita cu sprijinul:
All rights reserved. Munir Mezyed,2007
4
O poart ctre poezia arab
Versiunea n limba romn, prefa i note: Marius Chelaru
5
De mai timp am dorit s lucrez la o asemenea antologie care s deschid
cititorilor romni o poart spre una din paginile frumoase ale crii de poezie a
lumii. Lumea se afl acum angrenat n tot felul de conflicte, ura i teama i fac
loc mai mult dect ar trebui i din cauz c nu ne cunoatem. Apoi m -am ntlnit cu
Munir Mezyed. i pentru el lupta mpotriva ignoranei, voite au ba, fanatismului,
intoleranei i urii constituie o profesiune de credin. Amndoi am convenit c o
astfel de carte poate fi i o cale spre cunoatere.
La proiect s-au raliat i ali prieteni din lumea arab. A fost un drum
interesant, pentru c nu e uor s alegi din attea individualiti, din attea voci,
attea feluri de a vedea poezia. Greutatea seleciei a czut mai ales pe umerii
prietenilor arabi, evident mai buni cunosctori ai lumii lor.
Acum se cuvine s aduc mulumiri poetului Munir Mezyed, eminentului
profesor Abdul-Settar Abdul-Latif Al-Assady i colegilor arabi (domnii Eman
Ahmed, Sami Khamu, Samir Al -Shanawy i atia alii) pentru felul n care am
lucrat mpreun ntru deschiderea a cestei pori spre poezia lumii arabe.
Mulumirile mele i doamnei Daniela Andronache pentru ajutorul acordat,
la nevoie, n cutarea unor echivalene ct mai potrivite.
ISBN:
: Pentru versiunea romn Marius Chelaru
6
Rul poeziei,
dincolo de zgomotul literelor
Odinioar, Dimitrie Cantemir aprecia (n Sistemul religiei mahomedane ) poeii
turci, arabi i persani astfel: Prin cugetri sublime, prin dulceaa elocinei cci rimele i
compoziia sunt diferite de ale noastre prin topica, frumuseea, abundena i subtilitatea
metaforelor depesc n chip covritor pe greci i latini.
Lumea arab are nc necunoscute pentru occidental. S -a spus (dei relaia limb
istorie a fost studiat mai ales din secolul XIX, dup dezvoltarea lingvist icii istorice i
comparative), de la Platon (considera termenii logosului, subiect/ Z i predicat/
[|:, i uniti semantico-sintactice), sau Varro (raporta cuvntul la realitate
1
, creaiile
omului, fenomene naturale), c studiul limbii e strns legat de istorie. C din limb se pot
desprinde informaii privind istoria omenirii. Platon scria c limba e un <8~(~</
analogon al realitii. Exist teoria limbajelor suprapuse/ roofing language/ definitorii sau
high. n comunitatea lingvistic arab high e considerat araba (clasic sau, uneori, i cea
literar, al-arabyya, araba, sau al -fusha: cea mai corect/ elocvent). n esen, limba
Coranului
2
neleas/ explicat/ suplimentat cu/ pe baza materialului lingvistic, poeziei din
mediul beduin. Limba low e vorbit n rile arabe, pn la nivel de dialect. nelegerea
vorbitorilor dialectelor ntre ei nu e simpl. Dup expansiunea arab, limba Coranului
cunoate o rspndire n spaiu, dublat de un proces complex de diversificare, inclusiv a
funciilor. Limba prozei de dup apariia islamului e numit de filologii arabi araba
literar, pentru a o deosebi de limba Coranului. Sunt destule complicaii privind diverse
definiii legate de limba arab, dialecte .a., efectele expansiunii arabe asupra literatur ii din
o zon sau alta.
R. Blachre
3
asemuia poezia preislamic, din cauza dificultii nelegerii limbii, unei
grdini ascunse, construit de oameni care i petreceau viaa cltorind, vnnd, pentru ei
drumul semnifica destinul, popasul prilej pentru creaie: modelatori ai nimicului. Dup
Djahiz
4
traducerea poeziei e imposibil: estura s -ar rupe, msura ar fi nimicit,
frumuseea ar dispare, n-ar mai rmne nimic
5
. E tiut c ambiguitile sintactice, la orice
limb, chiar de nu sunt definitori i, relev i diferenele culturale. Exist pericolul
confundrii ideologiilor lingvistice native
6
cu al analizei de limb propriu -zise, i prin
raportare la bagajul cultural. Sunt discuii privind relaiile limb/ interpretare lingvistic
realitate
7
, contextualizare tipologic influena n compararea limbilor
1
, limb gndire
2
/
1
Cele 6 cri (V X) care au ajuns pn la noi din De lingua latina.
2
Nadia Anghelescu, Limba arab n perspectiv tipologic , Ed. Univers Enciclopedic, Bucureti, 2000, p. 24.
3
Studia Islamica, IX, MCMLVII, p. 5
4
Al-Djahiz (al-Jhiz), 776-868; Abu Uthman Amr Ibn Bahr al -Kinani al-Fuqaimi al-Basri.
5
Pellat, Ch. Le millieu basrien et la formation de Djahiz , Paris, 1963.
6
Silverstein, Michael , Language structure and linguistic ideology , Proceedings of the 15th Annual Meeting of
the Chicago Linguistic Society 2, p. 193 -247, an 1979.
7
Grace, G.W., The Linguistic Construction of Reality, London: Croom Helm, 1987.
7
cultur .a. S-a artat cum/ dac/ pn unde se poate face disjungerea/ interpretarea la nivel
semantic, conceptualizant
3
.a. Obiectivul traducerii trebuie s fie, lingvistic vorbind,
preluarea ntregului bagaj de sensuri/ simboluri cu mijloacele altei limbi, ajungnd i pe
trmul calcului lexical, i al unui gen de creativitate lexical. S -a scris c permeabilitatea
lingvistic
4
(disponibilitatea unei limbi pentru transfer d e structuri n alta) duce la punctele
slabe, structuri ce manifest goluri relativ la posibilitile expresive globale, n care
transferul lingvistic e favorizat de incompletitudinea paradigmelor existente ca atare
5
.
Despre aspectele legate de traducerea poemelor din aceast antologie n cutarea
echivalenelor cele mai potrivite posibile, a evitrii/ desclcirii pe ct posibil a
ambiguitilor de limbaj .a., a scris profesorul Abdul -Settar Abdul-Latif Al-Assady.
Dar secolele au trecut. De prin secolul al XIX-lea se manifest o schimbare
cunoscut n genere cu numele de Al Nahda/ Renatere. Muli consider c tendina s -a
manifestat n secolul XX mai ales n Egipt, de unde s -a rspndit n lumea arab. Dincolo
de schimbrile n literatura arab putem vor bi i de interesul pentru traduceri din/ contactul
cu literaturile occidentale. Sunt destule voci care spun c este dificil de discutat/ analizat
poezia arab prin prisma canoanelor/ teoriei i criticii occidentale, fie i pentru faptul c
vorbim de modele/ civilizaii/ valori/ concepte diferite
6
. Dar, timpul curgnd, contactul
dintre civilizaii, emigranii/ mahajariin, procesul de evoluie nregistrat de societatea din
lumea arab a fcut s se treac de canoanele tradiionale ale lui Al Khalil Ibn Ahmed El
Farrahidi
7
, s se ajung la versul liber. S. Moreh
8
amintea ncercrile lui Ahmad Zaki Abu
Shadi (1892-1955) de a introduce versul liber n 1920, de experimentul lui Khalil Shaybub,
cu poemul Corabia, 1932 fratele poetului, Siddiq, l data n 1921 .a . Apreau germenii
inovaiei: Khalil Gibran, Louis Awad, Badr Shakir al -Sayyab, Bouland Al -Haidari, Badr
Saadi Youssef, Badawi El -Jabbal, Ahmed Said (Adonis), voci feminine: Nazik al -Malaika,
Fadwa Tuqan .a.. De pild, Louis Awad publica n 1947, la Cairo , diwan-ul (cartea de
poezii) Plutoland. n introducere, considerat manifest, cerea poeilor s distrug ira
spinrii poeziei clasice ( hattimu `amud al-sh`ir), scriind: Poezia arab a murit n 1932.
A murit la moartea lui Ahmed Shawqi
9
. A aprut Micarea Arab pentru Versul Liber
(sunt discuii despre iniiatori) care a dus, n 1947
10
, la proclamarea renunrii la regulile
prozodiei clasice i iniierea unei direcii noi n poezia arab.
Drumul era, de acum, deschis.
1
Whorf BL. 1956a. (1939), The relation of habitual thought and behavior to language , n ed. Carroll JB,
Language, Thought, and Reality: Selected Writings of Benjamin Lee Whorf , Cambridge, MA, MIT Press, 1956
p. 134.59; Whorf BL. 1956b. (1940), Science and linguistics, n Carroll JB, ed. 1956, op cit., p. 207.
2
Ex: Levinson S.C., From outer to inner space: linguistic categories and non -linguistic Thinking, n The
Relationship between Linguistic and Conceptual Represent ation, ed. J.Nuyts, E.Pederson, p. 13-45, Cambridge
Univ. Press.
3
Ed. Levinson SC, Bowerman M., Language Acquisition and Conceptual Development, Cambridge Univ.
Press, 1997.
4
E. Coeriu, Sprachliche Interferenz bei Hochgeibildeten , n Festschrift fr Werner Betz, Tbingen, p. 97.
5
Idem, p. 92.
6
Ex: Larbi Dahou, La naissance de la posie arabe dans le Maghreb (de la conqute des Arabes la chute de
royaumes Aghlabide, Rostomide et Idrisside; de 30 230 de lhgire) , Alger, 2002.
7
A scris primul dicionar arab, a codificat regulile prozodiei funcie de numrul de silabe lungi/ scurte .a.
8
Modern Arabic Poetry, 1800-1970; The Development of Its Forms and Themes under the Influence of
Western Literature, Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1976.
9
Ahmed Shawqi (1868-1932): poet, dramaturg egiptean, figur proeminent i novatoare n literatura arab.
10
La ediia din 1989, Awad nota, n introducere, c a scris aceast carte ntre 1938, cnd studia la universitatea
din Cambridge, i 1940, cnd s -a ntors n Egipt.
8
Ce urmeaz e alt poveste, cu de stule hiuri prin disputele tradiie modern,
globalizare naionalism/ enclavizare, naional global .a. De pild n extremul orient
discuia tradiionalism versus modernism e n vog (i) pentru japonezi, poate acutizat la
sfritul sec. al XIX-lea, nceputul sec. al XX-lea, spre i dup al II-lea rzboi mondial
1
. S-
a spus c, prin ce a nsemnat pentru libertatea individual, epoca Meiji a jucat pentru
Japonia rol asemntor Renaterii n Europa, unde insul era eliberat de lanurile tradiiei i
familiei
2
. Japonezii i-au situat propria identitate fa cu a Occidentului. A trebuit s
inventeze termeni socio-politici de dragul modernizrii, unul s redea occidentalul self,
precursor necesar al conceptelor politice de libertate drepturi
3
. Dar, nainte de a
discuta ntrebarea Cine sunt eu, trebuia s puncteze noiune de eu
4
. Care ar putea fi
corolarul disputei tradiional modern aici, n confruntarea vers liber versus tradiie? Ce
presupune asta n lumea arab? Ce au trebuit s schimbe/ inve nteze poeii arabi?
Dup Toynbee popoarele neoccidentale trec n faza de a deveni parte din istoria
occidental a trecutului nostru, n o viitoare lume care nu va fi nici occidental, nici
neoccidental, dar va moteni toate culturile pe care noi, occide ntalii, le-am amestecat ntr-
un singur creuzet.
5
Care este de fapt mobilul acestor schimbri peste tot, inclusiv n lumea
arab? Imitaie, apropiere/ ncadrare n micarea de nelegere a noii gramatici a
civilizaiilor la nivel global? De pild, Fredric Jameson, care n 1972 publica The Prison-
House of Language, explica cultura occidental n relaia cu politicul i economicul
(conexiunile dintre art creaie i recepie i istorie/ circumstane istorice), desennd n
atari condiii drumul stilistic i ideologic de la realism, modernism ctre postmodernism.
Scria c, din varii perspective, o oper literar poate fi folosit/ re -interpretat politic
6
(re-
construit ca act simbolic ce inventeaz soluii imaginare/ formale la tensiuni nerezolvabile
ntr-un moment istoric particular), social (limbajul/ temele sunt n relaie cu dialogul dintre
clase; aceste elemente apar ca ideologeme sau personaje colective), mod de producie.
Pentru Jameson, globalizarea/ globalizarea pieelor, ca i triumful capitalismul ui au, printre
efecte colapsul diviziunii moderne dintre sferele sociale, culturalul a devenit economic,
economicul i politicul s -au transformat n att de multele forme ale culturii. Aceast
eliminare a limitelor e printre semnele de nceput ale postmo dernismului/ postmodernitii.
Un model azi, zic muli, depit, dar care este tipul de schimbare asumat de lumea arab?
Poezia arab modern este nc destul de puin cunoscut lumii occidentale, n
pofida faptului c tot mai multe nume ale poeilor arabi se regsesc n tot mai multe ri. n
pofida faptului c experimentul, versul liber au ptruns, ncet dar continuu n lumea arab.
O lume care, dei poate fi caracterizat printr -un caracter destul de unitar din multe puncte
de vedere, ncepnd cu cel lingvistic, continund cu cel religios .a, are particulariti
specifice fiecrui loc aparte, ncepnd din al Maghreb al-Aqsa/ ndeprtatul Apus, teritoriu
perceput, n general, ca un continuum cultural , poate cu dominant amazigh -arab
(berber-arab), din care fac parte Algeria/ arab - Al Djazair, Maroc i Tunisia. Aici, dac
1
Tsuji, Shigebumi, Dentoo: Sono sooshutsu to tensei/ Tradition: Its construction and transmigration, Tokyo,
Shinyoo Sha, 2003, p. 73-74.
2
Walker, Janet, The Japanese Novel of the Meiji Period and the Ideal of Individualism, Princeton Univ. Press,
NJ, 1979, p. 6.
3
Pollack, David, Reading Against Culture. Ideology and Narrative in the Japanese Novel, Cornell Univ. Press,
Ithaca & London, 1992, p. 55.
4
Idem, p. 54
5
Toynbee, A.J., Civilisation on Trial, New York, Oxford Univ. Press, 1948, p. 90.
6
Fredric Jameson, The Political Unconscious: Narrative as a Socially Symbolic Act. Ithaca, N.Y., Cornell
University Press, 1981: political perspective - the absolute horizon of all reading and all interpretation.
9
aruncm o repede privire dincolo de cortina istoriei, dup valul arab au venit altele,
influena cea mai puternic a avut -o cel francez. De pild, chiar literatura de expresie
francez din Maghreb, dezvoltat dup cderea regimului colonial, e rezultatul unui
amestec de limbi/ culturi: arab, berber, iudee, spaniol, italian .a. S -au scris studii
despre apariia/ dezvoltarea/ identitatea acestei/ acestor literaturi n ncercarea de a explica
ce anume face ca teritoriul a trei state, altfel cu istorie (legat de fenicieni, puni, numizi,
vandali, romani, Bizan, valul arab cu frmntrile kharegite, iite, fatimide, sufismul,
turci, europeni spanioli, italieni, portughezi, pieds-noirs
1
, personaje ca emirul berber
Buluggin ibn Ziri
2
, Khair ed-Din
3
i, mai nou, Ahmed Ben Bella
4
.a.) i identitate proprie,
s poat fi privit ca un continuum cultural . Nu e lipsit de importan c, n anii 80, de
partea cealalt a Mediteranei, n Frana, s-a nscut literatura beur termen argotic cu
conotaie negativ pentru arab, cu reprezentani ca Le la Sebbar, Mehdi Charef, Jamila Ait-
Abbas, literatura arab rodind, iat, i n Occident ntr -un mod aparte. Este numai un
sumar privire asupra istoriei unui col al lumii arabe. Apoi ne -am continuat drumul pe
calea poeziei pn ctre Levant/ Machreq
5
, pn spre Golf, Emirate .a.
Antologia de fa cuprinde creaii n vers liber a peste 180 de poei din: Algeria,
Arabia Saudit, Irak, Iordania, Egipt, Maroc, Tunisia, Palestina, Siria, Qatar, Libia,
Yemen, Liban, Kuweit, Bahrain, Oman, Sudan, Emiratele Arabe Unite. De amintit c unii
poei au semnat menionnd att ara de origine, ct i locul n care triesc acum, ara de
adopie fie ea Italia, SUA, Romnia; Munir Mezyed semneaz ca poet din Romnia.
Nu am cutat s urmrim un criteriu cronologic (ca, de pild, metoda vrstelor
literare, adoptat din Orient
6
), generaionist ori de alt fel, nici alfabetic ori al rilor de
origine, ci pur i simplu deschiderea unei pori ctre fascinanta lume a poeziei lumii arabe.
Am putea vorbi de asemnri/ deosebiri ntre poezia arab i occidental pornind
de la ce scria Jacques Berque, nscut n Algeria ( Les Arabes dhier demain, Paris, Seuil,
1960): Larabisme est une manire dtre, i despre Orientul Arab: En lui lternel et
le transitoire, le sublime et le trivial, la furie de lexistence et la fidlit lessentiel
sunissent dans un geste, un propos, un paysage. Cest pourquoi limmdiat y annonce
lauthentique. Sau, cum scrie i Abdul -Settar Abdul-Latif Al-Assady, privind dou ramuri
ale arborelui poeziei, cea izvort din grecescul poiein (a crea, a furi) i, cealalt, din
cuvntul arab (origine akkadian) shi'ir (a simi, a-i exprima simmintele).
Pe alocuri, poeii din aceast antologie au pstrat o punte ctre simbolistica lumii
vechilor beduini (a minilor, pmntului, cailor, curmalelor, zorilor .a.) cu rdcini nc
din epoca strveche, i din timpul impunerii i dezvoltrii Islamului, n hainele unui vers de
factur modern, ns departe de strvechile mesra:
Ca un curmal
Scuturat de dorul dup vremurile strbunilor
1
n perioada colonial francez, nceput la 1827 ncepe colonizarea Algeriei cu pieds-noirs; descendenii lor:
n 1954 cca. 1 milion. Sub acest nume sunt cunoscui azi francezii nscui n Algeria.
2
A ntemeiat n 960 Cetatea Alger.
3
Barbarossa, Khair ed-Din (1483-1546). Unul din cei mai temui oameni ai mrii, ajuns bei al Algerului.
4
Prim ministru, preedinte al Algeriei, dup independen, deposedat de putere de H. Boumedienne, n 1965.
5
Machrek/ Levant Orientul arab (Egipt, Irak, Peninsula Arab; alt accepiune: Irak, Siria, Liban, Iordania,
Palestina, parte din Egipt. nainte de, i n perioada apariiei islamului: Shm: la origine nsemnnd pe mna
stng, de la N dac stai cu faa spre E i Yaman pe mna dreapt. Reper era Arabia Occidental, unde se
afl Hedjz, Yatrhib (Medina) i Mecca; shm ar fi: marginile deertice la sud de Marea Moart, Cisiordania,
Iordania, Palestina, Libanul i Siria de azi. Yaman Yemenul, sudul Peninsulei arabe, pornind de la Najrn.
6
Abbes El Djarari (La littrature Maghrbine, aspects et problmes , vol I., Maktabat El Marif, Rabat.
10
Tren la apus de soare, Ahmed Fadl Shablool (Egipt)
Calul meu de trestie: trei ramuri
Ale curmalului din cas i -aeaz statura
Disprut n ntuneric
Tablete, Abdulla Hussain Chellab (Irak)
Ochii ti sunt dou pduri de palmieri devreme, n zori
De cte ori
Reuesc s scap
O sdesc iar i iar
i
Fruntea morii
nc
Pn acum
Zmbete
de pe geamtul buzei mele
38
16.
Ca i noaptea
Mustafa Murad (Palestina)
Ca i noaptea, cnd ea totul ascunde
n pntecele ei ntunecat,
strinul se rtcete
dormind n fonetul dorinelor
spunnd:
asta-i casa mea,
i ea e-o cochilie ncuiat
notnd singur
n marea ntunericului
departele departe
Ca i noaptea, cnd ea totul ascunde
n pntecele ei ntunecat,
Anotimpurile pesc prin uile ei deschis e
i fecioarele-i hrnesc
ciocurile vrbiilor flmnde
piepturile lor micue
Ca i noaptea, cnd ea totul ascunde
n pntecele ei ntunecat,
nlimile se trezesc
ntinznd rugtoare limba
lingnd pasionalii sni ai munilor
Aa fertilitate!!
i o tain nesfrit
39
Ca i noaptea, cnd ea totul ascunde
n pntecele ei ntunecat,
picioarele rmn nsrcinate
blestemate cu intenii misterioase
limbajul se topete
pe buzele uguiate
nesioase
Ca i noaptea, cnd ea totul ascunde
n pntecele ei ntunecat ,
freamtul i-atinge zenitul
i gndurile viseaz
la dimineaa umed
la roua
care va schimba culoarea lucrurilor
40
17.
Pentru tine
Mustafa Murad (Palestina)
De departe aidoma domului cerului eti
De aproape, asemenea Domnului
Enigmatic ca esena lucrurilor
De aceea sunt
de cer istovit i obiecte
i de zeii ntngi
i te iubesc
41
18.
Adevr ciuntit
Nasir Badwan (Iordania)
O umbr m urmrete;
Are clctura morii
Lama sufletului urii
M urmrete;
mi in rsuflarea
i ochii la spate.
M urmrete
De cte ori sunt naintea ei
ncerc s-o trag pe sfoar
Dar mi-o ia nainte.
Alerg ct de iute pot
M ajunge
M njunghie
vrs snge,
sngerez.
M njunghie;
mi port rana pe corp,
Trncnesc verzi i uscate,
Artnd lucruri dou:
Unul pe scaun
i unul pe drumul pe care-l urc.
E ciudat ceea ce privesc
Reversul medaliei.
Are scaunul scri dinspre stnga
Dinspre dreapta
Din aripa stng
i dinspre dreapta din aripa dreapt.
Totui, adevrul e n gura mea, clamez eu.
Adevrat e c adevru-i n gura mea?!
Sunt jurnalist.
Murmur,
optesc.
Sunt un duman al atotstpnitoarei tceri
ntre cele dou pietre ale rniei,
Tcerea care m macin.
42
Din cauza fricii mele,
Strig:
Nu cunosc nici teama
Nici fric nu mi-este.
Nici tcerea, nici frica
Nu m-au putut nfrnge
mi duc chitara
Umplu aerul libertii mele
Murmur optesc
Simt c pesc regulat dei o umbr
M urmrete. Nu!
Dou fr un sunet
n timp ce, n tcere, zbor.
M las vocea.
Cum face i umbra care m urmrete,
Este el relaxat acum?
I-a plcut culoarea sngelui meu?!
I-a plcut s se plimbe prin ochii mei?!
ntrebare de ce?
i va aminti de mine?
Are procurorul mcar o amintire s-i aminteasc de mine?!
Cine ofer condoleane copiilor i soiei mele?
A, draga mea,
Ce ngrozitor doare
Imaginea fricii n ochii ti pe care -i tiu!
Lacrima reprimrii cu care va crete fotografia mea
O cltorie de-o via,
O cltorie niciunde,
Aleea iluziilor i a viselor mele,
Un adevr bate ca o inim
Un adevr vorbete prin gura me a.
Dar cu adevrat
Adevrul
Este
n gura mea?!
43
19.
Poznele iubirii
Nasir Badwan (Iordania)
Capul meu
Strlucete a cenuiu
Inima mea
Strlucete de iubire
Fie ca toat ast puritate s ard
Pe jarul aprigei dorine
i poznele iubirii
S cnte
n venele mele
Astfel, trandafirii vor nflori.
Cu certitudine
Te voi seduce
Cu mierea i vinul meu
i vei ntinde subirile degetele suple
Spre florile mele
Ca s-mi frng
ncpnarea ntre palmele tale
i s murmur
n albastrul ochilor ti
Avansul meu
44
20.
Principiile poftei
Ahmad el-Khial (Egipt)
n pofida poftei ce revine
Trupul se schimb,
Se re-modeleaz,
Se mrete,
nscnd un vis fervent.
Rsari
Din fumul viziunii.
nlturi colbul dorinei mele din capul tu.
n ochii ti
O rmi a somnului venic,
Un somn lung, lung
Ca suferina mea
n pofida poftei ce revine
Trupul, nu acelai,
Trupul,
Plecare,
Dezechilibru n Timp,
O ascunztoare
i singurtate,
La acelai templu pe care obinuiam s -l ador
i aceeai pgn zei
Pe snii plini ai credinei
Se roag,
Ea iart orice femeie care pctuiete
Ori doar a tnjit!
Contra voinei unei pofte care
s-a regsit.
Corpul s-a schimbat
a vorbit despre-o femeie
care se trezete goal-n fiece diminea
i lcrimeaz...
Cnd unduieti n hainele t ale
un tremur curge prin membrele mele.
Cu un singur cui, Tu, un cort
Dezrdcinat de uraganul poftei mele,
sfiat de trupul
45
21.
Btrne e
Buland el-Haidari (Irak)
Alt iarn,
i iat-m,
Lng soba aprins,
Visnd la o femeie care s-ar putea s viseze la mine,
Visnd s ascund la pieptul ei
Un secret;
Care nu-i rde de-al ei secret.
Visez s pornesc n curba vrstei mele
Anii mei ce se sting
i apoi ea ar spune:
Lumina aceasta e-a mea;
Nu lsa nici o femeie s se apropie de ea.
Aici, lng soba aprins,
Alt iarn,
i iat-m,
Cosndu-mi visele i temndu-m de ele,
Teama c ochii ei vor face bclie de
O chelie, o pat tmpit de pe capul meu,
Un pr crunit dinluntrul meu,
Teama c picioarele ei vor lovi
iubirea mea
i c m voi regsi lng soba ncins,
o jucrie n mna unei femei.
Alt iarn i iat-m,
Singur,
Fr iubire,
Ori vise
Ori o femeie,
i mine de propria-mi rceal voi muri
Aici, alturi de soba arznd.
46
22.
Chiar lng margine
Mazin el-Najjar (Siria)
Plria aia amatoare de vnt
Era ca mine.
Cnd am deschis un mormnt
Mai mic dect leatul meu cu doi ani,
Cei adormii nu m-au trezit
Cu visele lor glgioase
Nici fantoma mea nu s-a oprit pe margine,
Purtnd discuii prelungi,
ncercnd s conving cltorii s ad aste!
Tot ce am obinut a fost plpitul genelor mele n nalt,
la nivelul unei linii unde apele coboar,
i o lam ascuit
s road n final insultele copilriei -
le-am depozitat cu grij
ntr-un vechi sertar al amintirii
- Nimic n-a mai rmas din el
doar chipul lui n clipa-n care i-a luat rmas bun.
Asta e ce i-a spus ea noului ei so
n miez de noapte.
El n-a rostit nimic;
Mna lui i-a luat responsabilitate de a face treaba asta.
- De ce vrei tu s fugi?
Braele s-au desfcut larg, avnd gustul mamei mele.
- M ntorc n burtica ta
cu toate vechile promisiuni,
las n urm toate vorbele pierdute,
mestecnd gura oamenilor,
nainte de a le rosti nc odat,
mai mult ca s nu fie tcere.
47
O, moarte,
sunt attea lucruri
pe care le-am uitat odat cu tine
nainte ca tu s m fi zmislit
Acum am nevoie de bilete ieftine
Doar la clasa a treia,
Destul ca s cltoresc
prin toate staiile,
n cutarea bagajului meu pierdut.
48
23.
Uraganul strnit de o femeie
Kamal Aref (Egipt)
Dei but-am toate soiurile de vin
Nu m-am mbtat,
Dar al buzelor tale nectar m-a fcut s m mbt.
Nimic din ce-i ginga strin nu mi -e
Dar n-am vzut nimic att de ginga ca snii ti.
Viaa i-a ntrit strnsoarea n jurul meu,
i a mers nainte,
Dar n-am vzut nicicnd o talie mai ngust,
i nici aa locuri pivotnd,
Rotindu-se, legnndu-se
Am trit viaa asta sub toate aspectele,
Navignd pe mri,
i nicicnd nu m-am rtcit,
Dar ochii ti m-au necat.
Buzele tale m-au luat n stpnire,
Ca i toate formele tale,
Rgueala ta cochet,
i toate extravaganele i ncpnrile tale,
Nebunia i nflcrarea ta,
Furiile i calmul tu,
tnguirea furtunilor tale,
Cldura compasiunii,
pacea tainelor tale,
Armonia suspinelor tale,
De aceea, las-m, te implor,
S m-ntorc n lumea mea
Cci iat! Pierdut sunt,
Pierduuut,
Pierduuut!
49
24.
Ea, zorii i eu
Omar Alwi Nasna (Maroc)
Nu v trezii
O, zorilor,
O, rule,
O, mare,
Cci iat! Inima mea istovit e!
Vntul s-a prvlit
peste nlimile pmntului,
i steaua care altdat se pitea n palma mea,
nu mai dorete s stea lng mine.
Nu v trezii, cci aici sunt
Risipit pe steiul timpului;
amintirea n-are inim s-i deschid
cum nici nflcrata mare n-are rmuri.
O, zorilor, edei
n spatele genelor nopii
Singuri
Imaginea mreei promisiuni
Murit-i nluntrul meu.
Azi nu mai are un mine,
Nici nu mai cred, o, zorilor, n promisiunea voastr!
Aa c ed ndrtul genelor nopii,
i dac plecarea te supr,
Atunci las-m s exist.
Pentru c nu mai am rbdare,
O, zorilor!
50
25.
Doar pentru tine
Aisha Mohammed (Arabia Saudit)
Pentru tine voi fi
Tot ce voieti tu s fiu.
Voi fi pentru tine
Frumuseea
i atrgtoarele simuri.
Pentru tine voi fi
Zmbetul
i lamentoul poemului.
Voi fi pentru tine
Copilul,
femeia,
Sufletul,
prietenul.
Pentru tine voi fi
Melodiile care-i dezghea
suferina
i dureroasele rni.
Voi fi pentru tine
Imensitatea
i dureroasele cerului lacrimi.
Pentru tine voi fi
Noaptea i ziua,
i scnteietoarele frunze-ale timpului.
51
Voi fi pentru tine
Refrenul,
nelegerea,
Labirinturile,
i alt nechibzuin.
Pentru tine voi fi
Patria ta,
Cminul,
Refugiul,
i rugminile iubirii.
Voi fi pentru tine
Visul,
Existena,
i realitatea.
Voi fi pentru tine
Ploaia,
Trandafirii,
Violeta,
Catifeaua,
i toate bucuriile naturii.
Pentru tine voi fi
Eu nsumi.
Doar pentru tine
Doar pentru tine
Doar pentru tine
52
26.
Licresc ca pdurea de pini
Soad el-Kwuari (Qatar)
Sub unicul pod,
Am stat drept ateptndu-te
n ntunecimea care picura
Pe strzile care miunau de beivi
i ndrgostii.
Sub unicul pod am stat,
Tinuind linitea Universului n buzunarul hainei mele
i ateptndu-te.
Ezitam,
Acoperindu-mi trupul cu haine fcute din ln
Privind cum se trezesc pisicile,
n subsolurile naltelor cldiri
ncercnd din greu s-mi mic piciorul
Minile tale erau mai fierbini dect ale mele.
Haina ta ud era de la picturile de ploaie.
Prbuindu-se, capul tu
s-a cufundat la pieptul meu
Ezitam,
S alung vorbele tale dinluntrul meu
i s-mi potolesc setea cu nectarul amintirii.
Vino la pieptul meu
ca un arici mititel furieaz-te
Las-i asprele mini
S lunece pe spatele meu
53
Ca dou aripi gigantice,
mbrieaz-m cu blndee,
Aeaz-mi zilele mele de odihn
Pe rmurile tale erpuitoare.
Te privesc,
Cu mndrie-mplinit de mireasma cu respiraia sacadat,
n spatele tu,
lng caii poftei tale slbatice.
Pe trupul meu ce trebuie s se odihneasc.
De cte ori e lun nou.
Inima mea s se mai nale nu trebuie.
Capul meu trebuie s se obinuiasc cu cafeaua de sear,
cu rceala unei crude ore a dimineii ora unu.
O, poruncilor,
Hpii-m cu eternii votri comandani
Luai-m din nenumratele voastre mini,
Ca s licresc ca o pdure de pini
i s ard mocnit ca i comet ele
Astfel ca trotuarul fermecat s poat
Licri deodat.
i rndunelele iubirii s se poat
nla la cer.
Buzele noastre nsetate-s de iubire
De cntec
cerul acesta blnd
undele ne ating picioarele;
mi lipesc spatele de al tu,
capul meu de al tu,
mna mea cu a ta.
Artm
De parc-am fi crucificai pe trupul vntului,
nghiii de furtun,
Umezii de cea.
54
27.
Nu e-n putin a noastr
Mohammed el-Laghafi (Maroc)
Vai,
Prea mult ezut-am
n st potir
Nevoie-avem mai mult dect epoca asta,
Ct s facem bucuria s necheze ca un cal
n jurul nostru.
Dar, draga mea,
Degetele ceasului
Au nceput s arate ochii ti,
Aa c haide s plecm
nainte ca ei s verse
Sngele
Poemelor mele.
55
28.
Scrisoare de sub ape
Nizar Qabbani (Siria)
De eti prietena mea
Ajut-m s te prsesc
Ori dac eti iubirea mea
Ajut-m s m vindec de tine
De-a fi tiut
c marea e aa adnc
n ea nu m-a fi cufundat..
De-a fi tiut
c dragostea e aa primejdioas
nu m-a fi ndrgostit
De mi-a fi tiut sfritul
nu a fi nceput
Tnjesc dup tine
Aa c nva-m s nu te rvnesc
nva-m
cum s smulg rdcinile iubirii tale
din adncuri
nva-m
cum pot muri lacrimile n ochii ti,
i iubirea poate sfri
56
i dorinele se sinucid.
nva-m
cum s m revolt mpotriva ta
i s scap de sabia dorinei
Dup tine am rmas
Ca o carte cu foile sfiate
Tu eti tot trecutul meu i prezentul
i toate zilele vieuirii mele
Dragostea mea pentru tine
este dragostea mea pentru poezie
atunci de ce ucizi poezia din mine
dragostea mea pentru tine
iubire pentru ap este
aadar, de ce ctre stnci m mpingi?
Oh, tu, creia a soarelui lumin eu i -am druit,
de ce mi rspunzi cu ntuneric
i-am druit pdurile
atunci de ce mi dai deertul
Cltoreti prin inut
n timp ce ai lsat furtuna s-mi mestece trupul
M aflu n ap
n timp ce vocea ta vine ctre mine
De sub ap
i trsturile chipului tu
mi apar ca ale unui gigant
Venind ctre mine din adncul apei
Liniile palmei tale m vneaz
Chiar i n ap
Ah, dac memoria mi s-ar neca
Dac chipul tu i trecutul s -ar neca
Dac mii de lucruri s-ar neca
Ah, ce istovit m-a simi!
Dac ai fi un profet,
m-ai izbvi de ast vraj
Scpndu-m de acest ateism
Iubirea ta este ateism
Aa c purific-m de acest ateism
57
O, tu care mi-ai descris viaa ca pe un poem
i ai plantat rnile tale n pieptul meu
i ai alungat rbdarea
dac i-a fi att de drag
atunci mi-ai lua mna
Iat! Sunt vrjit
Din cap pn-n picioare
Dac eti puternic
salveaz-m de marea asta..
pentru c nu cunosc arta notului
valurile albastre din ochii ti
m trag ctre adncuri
nu mai vd nimic, doar culoarea albastr
albastr
albastr..
nu am experien n dragoste
nici barc nu am
respir sub ap!
M nec
nec
nec
58
29.
Un an de la Despr ire
Suhail el-Isawi (Palestina)
O, draga mea,
A trecut un an de cnd ne-am desprit;
Dimineaa i-a dezbrcat vemntul speranei.
Zilele cuget adnc,
i oamenii sunt numere i imagini n schimbare
Fiece diminea soarele-i arunc marama peste mine
S-mi tearg rana sngernd
Din marea inimii mele,
i suferina calc tot mai apsat pe strzi
i pe toate trotuarele pe care altdat ne plimbam
59
30.
mi pierd graiul cnd zmbeti
Ali el-Sari (Libia)
ngduin
Pe melodiile pailor ei
Fantezia iese din ascunztoarea -i
Din cauza vlului limbajului,
Poemul ar fi gol cu desvrire.
Aa se nate iubirea,
Aa se nate poezia
Pietrele tcerii
nelesurile se ngrmdesc n colurile sufletului meu
Ori de cte ori mi plimb limba.
Ea cade pe marginile ei
Pe pietrele tcerii!
Iluminare
Adierile rsucesc genele poemului
n timp ce nflorete
pentru angelicele srutri ale dimineii
Astfel, delicata mireasm se rspndete n colur ile adormite
n timp ce tu iradiezi lumin
n lumea ncrcat de sensuri
60
Urmrire
Rsuflrile tale m vneaz oriunde merg,
i cnd caut refugiu n poem
Te gsesc acolo, goal
i semnificaiile te nvluie
mi pierd graiul cnd zmbeti
De cte ori clresc n cursa imaginaiei
Minele viziunilor explodeaz sub poem.
Astfel, golurile limbajului
i literele se-mprtie
i fraza m dezamgete.
n st fel
mi pierd eu graiul
cnd zmbeti
Coridoare
Coridoarele armonioaselor tale gene
La poarta inimii mele
Trezit din cnd n cnd;
Slbiciunea minii.
Linite
De cte ori izvodesc linitea n tine,
Punea poemului i crete pe buze
Pe calea spre ochii ti
Plou mereu cu poezie
61
31.
Moarte obinuit
Nidal Hamed (Palestina)
Este moartea moarte,
Prietene
Ai putea muri de moarte bun,
i-ai putea s nu afli destul loc pentru un sicriu,
Sau chiar un mormnt,
Ori pentr-un trandafir nflorit.
Cci lumea pleac-n tcere,
i-n tcere se destram.
62
32.
Un bob de bucurie e de-ajuns
Majida Abdel Nabi (Egipt)
Un bob de bucurie e de-ajuns
Chinuitoarea suferin s-o alunge.
O, omule care mergi prea departe,
Fantoma zmbetului pe buzele tale
Flutur n jurul inimii,
Cultivnd golurile vieii mele cu iubire.
Tu din buci m vei reconstrui
i de-ale mele suferine m vei nstrina
Aa ncepe ziua!
O, tu care te scalzi n propriile-ngrijorri
Plutind n ndoielile tale,
Sdete-mi un palmier n inima ta
ca s i pot sdi un soare n ndelungata mea etate
Puin bucurie e de-ajuns
S uitm de rnile noastre,
Azi iar e srbtoare!
63
33.
Jamal Abdul Nasser
1
Munir Mezyed (Romnia)
ntunericul se furieaz,
Fcndu-i tabra pe strzile minilor noastre,
nvluindu-ne viaa
n timp ce diavolii locuiesc n casele noastre
Mncnd pinea noastr i bndu-ne vinul
Luna Orientului
Care ne-a luminat sufletele
A plecat
Lsndu-i n urm motenirea
O, Jamal Abdul Nasser,
Orfani suntem.
Ridic-te,
praful morii l scutur de pe trupul tu
i nu lsa moartea
S te opreasc motenirea-i s o duci mai departe
O, Jamal,
Calul tu te ateapt
n timp ce porile Ierusalimului ateapt intrarea ta
Clopotele bisericilor din Betleem rsun,
Cntnd i chemndu-te.
Jamal,
Tu eti cel
Care a scris glorioasele capitole ale istoriei
A frmat altarul sclaviei
i i-a nvins pe ai notri dumani.
Tu ne-ai fcut s Vism i s Credem.
1
Gamal Abdel Nasser (Jaml Abd an-Nsir / Gaml Abd el-Nsir/ Jamal Abd al-Naser, Jamal Abd an-Nasser
.a.) 1918-1970, preedinte al Egiptului ntre 1954 -1970 i una dintre cele mai importante personaje politice din
Orientul Mijlociu, simbol al arabismului.
64
O persoan nu poate fi liber dac mintea -i e nrobit
Munir Mezyed
65
34.
Izbucniri excesive
Ahmad el-Attar (Maroc)
1.
El edea pe umerii Soarelui,
Revrsndu-i cerneala,
Un semn de la petiionari.
edea tcut
Ca un munte.
2.
Cerul n-a plouat n acea noapte;
El a stat holbndu-se la ea un an de zile.
s-a holbat incontient,
Astfel, iubirea lui a czut pe cine -a dorit el.
3.
Mai devreme el zvrlea cntece franuzeti pe fereastr,
inndu-i cartea strnse, ca pe o spad
Sorbindu-i cafeaua cu sadism,
n timp ce ea se pregtea frivol
S dea lecii de iubire,
Lecii fr titlu
4.
Literele care m viziteaz surprinztor
n timp ce eu linguesc ecranul.
El moare sistematic,
fluturnd batista iganilor
66
35.
Cntecul Chinului
Salih Abdel Sabour (Egipt)
Te-am vzut cnd nopile vieii mele erau luminate
Te-am vzut cnd funiile rbdrii s -au topit
Te-am vzut dup atia ani
Ca i durerile-mi, i tu erai n ale mele vise
De parc noaptea, o viaa mea, n-ar fi trecut
i de parc soarele ar fi dormit
n Abkar, fntna ginnilor
De parc lumea ar fi fost n extaz
nvrtindu-se n jurul nostru, fr de seam s bage
Te-am vzut
Dup atia ani de lipsuri i nevoi
De parc erai un trandafir alb i sufletul meu deasupra -i plutea
De parc ai fi fost un cntec n adncul inimii mele, un nger sfnt n inocena ta
Dup atia ani de lipsuri i anxietate
mi-am asumat suferina
i din cauza groazei lor, prul meu a albit
Te vd aici, cum erai, de parc n -ai fi nimicit o inim, nici zdrobit o vrst
Splendoarea ta cu soarele i luna se potrivete
i dragostea e scris-n inima mea, care s-a despicat i rmas aidoma suferinei mele
Asta mi-i predestinarea, soarta
67
36.
Primul joc
Muhammad el-Salih el-Gharisi (Maroc)
Eram copil.
Visele mele desenate-s
Pe aripile fluturilor.
Amintirile mele tatuate-s
Pe ui i perei.
Cntecele mele se regsesc n cirip itul vrbiilor.
Copil eram,
Vnndu-mi visele pe aleea timpului,
Cochetnd cu speranele.
Copil eram,
Jucndu-m cu vntul,
i cnd cdea ntunericul,
Priveam lanul de muni.
ntindeam mna spre o Lun care nu venea niciodat.
Plngeam dup poala mamei
dup primul meu joc.
aizeci de visuri au trecut,
Cu toate astea nc sunt copil,
Cercetnd ale mrii sirene,
Construind castele de nisip.
Copil nc sunt,
ncpnat ca un val.
Vntul mprtie ce-am construit.
Eu vnez Ei vneaz.
O, timpule!
68
Cnd se va termina st joc?
Trim doar pentru suferin.
Ct va mai fi aa?
Construim doar ca s pierdem
Ct va mai fi aa?
Ct timp vom continua s nfcm vntul
i ppuile de cear vor continua s se topeasc
Sub soarele Adevrului?
Ct timp vom continua s crm bolovanul viselor noastre
ntre poale i pisc?
O, copile locuitor al coastelor,
Azi,
Zmbetul crucificat se va nate
Pe buzele copiilor,
i copilul din noi va zbura cu plcere,
Crete, dei v spun, nu, nu crete.
Numai Timpul.
Tu te-ai nscut copil,
Copil rmi
Doar tu, mereu,
Joci primul joc
69
37.
Fragmente
Sanaa Cheddal (Maroc)
Garduri roase
Furtunoas i slbatic mare,
i o barc, cu bordul zdrenuit,
Picioare n ateptare,
i cioburile mrii
atavicele strigte ale Speranei
valurile sparte de grmezile de pietre, pietrele uitate
O umbr hoinar
nvluit n voalul ntunericului,
nghiind srtura puternic a trupului ei
i plonjnd n adncuri.
Valurile au cntat
Oraul s-a prbuit
ncet, ncet,
Prsind catargele pentru pescruii atrnnd n aer.
Balena s-a revoltat,
i din gura ei un zmbet timid s -a revrsat,
Povestind amgitor despre o umbr hoinar din adnc
Cu ochi cavernoi
Obraji albatri,
Vorbind, povestind,
Despre lumina strzilor oraului,
Despre hrmlaia i frecuul din oraele buimcite,
i despre frunzele frmate,
i cioburi de carafe ruginite
i despre fragmente.
O lume se prbuete
Prbuete
Prbuete spre adncuri.
70
38.
Visnd Soarele
Aziz el-Gharbawi (Maroc)
Cerul s-a schimbat.
Tovarul i-a nlocuit ochii.
Universul nu mai e un port.
Cine rvnete lacom la poezie?
Timpul nu mai e un depozit de amintiri.
Vorbitul nu mai nseamn fug.
Iubita nu mai este-aceeai.
Cine e acela care ateapt s vad pinea,
Ori apa din izvorul poemului,
Sau un nou chip n paginilor ziarelor?
Cine e acela cruia zilele nu i -au aprins focul cuiva,
Nu te-ai ateptat tu ateptat ca el s fie o alt fiin n fiece zi, chiar tu,
Sau s emane un nou parfum ?
Ucide aerul apa?
n aer poezia moare.
n ap iubirea moare.
n amurg, ntunericul mi jefuiete inteligena
Vrbiile i fac partitura
Mngierile se-mprtie pe toi pereii
N-ai nsoit insectele vntului
nici n-ai auzit taina vntorului adormit
ca i zorii pe colin,
visnd la dansul soarelui n trii.
Cine este acela care ateapt soarele n tain,
i zilele nu l-au putut dezrdcina forat,
i nici nu i-au dat o piele veninoas
Ori o inim oarb?
Cine este cel ce doarme,
ncovoindu-se i-ndoindu-se
Ar putea fi acele mere ale lui Adam
E aidoma unui val necat n ap?
71
Puterile-au fost sporite de celebra iubiri a lui Zeir Salam
1
Ori din cauza acelui cnt, S ne oprim aici i s plngem, al lui Amero Kais
Ca o amintire din memorie
El a vzut dou psri n colurile ochilor lui:
Una n-a murit de sgeile poetului
Cealalt, care a fcut -o ziua
Tot dispare
Pn ce devine-un simbol
i se transform-n dorul
dintre dou inimi,
i un strigt sufocndu-se golul lacului.
1
Poet din Peninsula arab, din perioada pre-islamic.
72
39.
Salma
Abdel Rahman Ghilan (Yemen)
Am sfrit-o cu tine
Dei nu am savurat
Gustul nceputului.
Mi-am aezat cetile,
i le-am umplut
Nici inima mea nu s-a alinat,
Nici flautul ei n-a fremtat.
Ai fost un partener al portului n care am tras
Ast sear.
i-am sorbit o pictur de ardoare
O pictur de fervoare,
O pictur de moarte.
Acum nchid bucuros ochiul,
i nu tiu care-i povestea.
Iubirea inimii mele migratoare
n norul cetii.
Perechea vieii mele; o via presrat
cu abunden
i disperare.
La ua snului tu,
Unde m-am oprit i am ngenuncheat
Nechezatul supravieuirii mele
n tine am adunat bucat cu bucat
Rugciunea mea
Ca s-i recit un vers al revelaiei!
73
40.
ntre minile tale
Majida Abdel Nabi (Egipt)
ntre minile tale
Spaiile cuvintelor freamt,
i povetile gem.
Marii lor eroi ies de pe paginile lor albe,
Cltorind prin oasele mele,
Insernd dorina lor n porii mei,
Trezindu-l pe Narcis, adormitul
n cioburile din proaspta mea ardoare.
M pierd n tine.
O, tu care eti fr somn ca o stea,
Rsunnd adnc n rana mea ca o sgeat,
Torturndu-m i rnindu-m,
Sorbindu-m i azvrlindu-m,
Pe pragul viselor.
ntre minile tale
Iluzia este Realitatea
n care mocnitul meu snge doarme
i realitatea devine iluzie.
74
41.
Masa anotimpurilor
Thora el-Rezouk (Siria)
n ultimul anotimp
Care a murit, cerul a plouat semine de dovleac;
Pmntul s-a transformat ntr-un lac structuralist,
i n rna apelor
Sub artura anotimpurilor,
Cald,
Rece,
Cald,
Cald,
Rece, zpad foarte rece, rece ca gheaa.
Domnul a trimis ngerii
Dup Modernism.
Am vzut copacul focului
Crescnd
Fr fum.
n st timp
Fumul e inaugurarea fertilitii,
i ogorul plnuiete s avorteze recolta,
pere, banane verzi, i lut.
Speran nu mai este pentru noi
Dect s ne-nturnm la buctria universal,
La orezul copt,
La grul copt,
i surpatul ogor care-i mai delicios dect cactusul paradisului.
75
42.
Carte de identitate
Mahmoud Darwish (Palestina)
Ia aminte!
Sunt arab,
i numrul crii mele de identitate e cincizeci de mii,
i am opt copii
i al noulea se va nate la sfritul verii.
Te enerveaz?
Ia aminte!
Sunt arab,
i lucrez mpreun cu tovarii mei de munc la o carier de piatr
i am opt copii,
Lupt s le duc o coaj de pine
Haine i caiete
Din pietre.
Nu cer poman la ua ta
Nici nu te defimez-n casei tale prag
Aa c de ce ai fi furios?
Ia aminte!
Sunt arab,
Am un nume fr un titlu,
Locuind rbdtor ntr-o ar
n care toi cei ce triesc acolo-s furioi
Rdcinile mele
s-au ntiprit nainte de nceputul timpului
nainte de nflorirea epocilor
nainte de chiparoi i de mslini
nainte de creterea punilor
Tatl meu e dintr-o familie de truditori
Nu din clasele privilegiate
i bunicul meu a fost un cultivator,
Nici de ras pur, nici de familie bun,
nvndu-m a soarelui mndrie
nainte de a m nva s citesc cri.
76
Casa mea-i precum coliba unui paznic
Fcut din stuf i trestii
Aadar, te satisface statutul meu?
Sunt un nume fr un titlu.
Ia aminte!
Sunt arab,
Prul negru mi-i
i ochii mi-s cprui
Trsturile mele distinctive:
Port pe cap un ghatta wigal
1
,
i am palma tare ca piatra.
Zgrie orice atinge.
Adresa mea:
Sunt din satul uitat i fr aprare
Strzile lui fr nume-s
i toi brbaii lui sunt pe cmp sau n cariera de piatr.
Mncarea mea favorit
E uleiul de msline i sovrful
Te enerveaz?
Ia aminte!
Sunt arab,
Ai jefuit viile strmoilor mei
i un ogor pe care-l cultivam
mpreun cu ai mei copii,
i nu ne-ai lsat nimic nou i nepoilor notri,
Dect aste pietre,
Aadar, i le va nsui guvernul, precum se spune?
Deci,
Scrie la nceputul acestei prime pagini
Nu ursc oamenii
Nici nu-i jefuiesc pe alii
Dar dac flmnzi-vom
Voi mnca carnea uzurpatorului meu.
Aa c pzete-te
Pzete-te de foamea mea
De mnia mea.
1
Ghatta: pies vestimentar pentru acoperirea capului; wigal folosit pentru a ine aceast pies pe cap.
77
43.
Ilustra suferin
Faisl Abdul Waheb Haider (Ir ak)
Stinge-mi setea
cu minile tale!
nghit toate nisipurile Arabiei,
Dar ntinderea ta e mare
Al tu soare m arde mocnit.
ine-mi buzele departe
Departe de ghizdurile puului.
Apa ta mi satisface fierberea,
i m ucide!
Stinge-mi revolta!
Cmilele clanului s-au oprit i-au ngenuncheat
Prin mahalalele inimii mele, grmad
nc, nu-i nici un cort n mijlocul turmelor clanului,
Nici un semn de foc
Dar, stai o clip,
Am fcut o turt de pine,
Am frmntat-o cu sngele rnii mele
Hrana ospeiei pentru cavaleri, verii mei. Aa c grbete, ia -o
Ei m iubesc,
n iubirea lor nermurit
mi vars sngele
cu pumnalele lor.
S nu-mi spui mie c vatra focului s -a stins,
Aceasta e inima mea.
Ia.
Tciunii vetrei
O stea s cluzeasc.
78
44.
Tlcul zilei
Faisl Abdul Waheb Haider (Irak)
O Lun n ntunericul celor doi ochi
Extenueaz germenul focului,
Sngernd de iubire,
e un ru de lacrimi i snge.
Vntul mprtie pnzele inimii
Pentru acela care-i nfoaie farmecele!
Care srut ndelung florile nimicirii.
Statura morii se nclin
n faa cuvintelor, fntnile,
n faa imposibilului vis.
Slbiciune n trup;
Sufletul doarme dincolo de datorii i margini,
El recit Cartea Veniciei.
79
45.
Vduv ntr-o mlatin
Yousif Shahada (Palestina)
Las-o s plece!
N-o rpi din mlatina ei!
Cum s-a afundat pn la urechi n algele i pietrele de la bicile fierii
Cum!
Cum a alergat n spatele pstorilor buimacilor nori
Cnd lupul i vra sngele n faa pmntului .
Ea e vduva negrului pmnt,
Progenitura nisipurilor din deert.
Spin clrit
ntr-un tremur al morii,
nsetat.
Ea e doamna morii care vine.
Ea e doamna ntunericului,
Plutind n aer cu fesele ei ca pulberea galaxiei,
Intrnd pe poarta planetei noastr e
Ca aa n ac.
80
46.
Nu sunt eu
Bilal el-Masri (Liban)
Nu eu;
Nimicul nu are umbr s-l urmeze.
Vocea ta care m uimete nu o aud;
Acela care ade ntre minile tale.
Dac toi pomii ar fi nflorit,
Dac toate femeile i -ar amna toamna,
Favorurile tale nu i-ar mai fi lui de nici un folos.
Vocea ta care m ngrijoreaz,
Nu o aud.
Nu sunt muntele ce trebuie retrimis la tine
Nici abisul peste care trebuie s treci
Fr s te prbueti.
Lovete-m, astfel a cunoate inima ta, vremea mea.
Acela ce ade aici nu sunt eu.
Nu tiu dac eram prezent sau lipseam.
81
47.
Tcerea cutremurtoare
Batoul el-Alawi (Moroc)
De ce e aceast ngrozitoare tcere?
nc te mai gndeti la ziua de ieri?
Ezitarea i confuzia i marcheaz tr sturile chipului.
Nu mai pot ndura tcerea ta.
Vorbete, nu fi mprtiat,
Vorbete, tu eti i cea care ia decizii, tu eti eful.
Te implor, pe adevrata iubire i nelegere,
Nu uita ce e ntre noi legmintele.
Ai putea fi la cuite cu mine
Sau m poi pedepsi,
i pentru lucruri care nu in de mine,
Dar nu accept dubiile tale relativ la fidelitatea mea.
O, draga mea,
Nu lsa ndoiala s ptrund n inima ta,
Nu sugruma iubirea cu minile tale,
Iei din ngrozitoarea ta tcere,
i uit ce s-a petrecut n acea zi.
Nu-i mai bate capu i nici s nu-i pese
De ce ne-ar putea aduce viitorul
Gndete-tea numai la dragoste i armonie,
i uit ce-am pit din cauza durerii i tristeii.
nflcrarea mea m-a dus la tine,
Fii ndurtoare i d-mi mna.
82
48.
Confesiunile ndrgosti ilor
Ali el-Muhammad (Siria)
Vreau s fii o hain pentru iarna mea,
Care m nghea i m copleete
Ger, ger,
Peste tot n jurul meu,
i tu eti lemnul iernii,
i floarea vestejindu-se n ochii mei.
nflcrarea mea m-a dus la tine, o femeie nebun,
Farmecele m susin, la fel i blestematul ei suspin.
Nimic n-a mai rmas din toate rsuflrile mele
Doar gemete mprtiate pe gtul tu
Ca un felinar al nopii nainte de a fi oprit de paloare,
i stins de un fr de mil vnt.
S atept vocea ta ori moartea -mi?
O, hain a vntului,
i murmurul sngelui abtut
Cnd curge prin venele tale.
83
49.
Fii prietenul meu
Sauad el-Sabah (Kuweit)
Fii prietenul meu
Ar fi frumos dac am rmne priet eni
Orice femeie are uneori nevoie de mna unui prieten
i vorbe dulci s-aud
Fii prietenul meu
Uneori am nevoie s m plimb cu tine prin iarb
i pe mine femeie fiind m ncnt s te aud
Fii prietenul meu
Am nevoie cu disperare de un port linitit
Cci aa-s de istovit de povetile de dragoste i noutile pasiunii
i aa de plictisit de epoca aceea care consider femeia o statuie de marmur
84
50.
Rug pentru diminea a Fatimei
Omar Alwi Nasna (Maroc)
Dimineaa asta se trezete ncet,
i deschide potrivitele buzunare ale hainei.
Astfel, fluturii inimii zboar;
Toate animalele sufletului alearg.
Dimineaa asta picur vin,
mbtnd toate plantele inimii.
Ele i dezvluie farmecele luminii
i l divulg snului zorilor.
Ast diminea deplin i amintete bine
Cum a fost revelat taina Fatimei,
i cum fost-a scris universul n pasiunea ei,
cum marea a nvat -o numele
Dimineaa asta pstreaz pentru ea
Toi porumbeii domeniului,
i trimite snului ei un cal slbatic
De acum deschise sunt toate regatele poeziei,
Toate oraele arse de lacrimi,
i toi ispititorii florii.
85
51.
ntrebri nafara orelor
Majid el-Barghouthi (Palestina)
Tancul
Cine negociaz cu tancul pestri?
Plecciunea
Plecciunea n faa lui Satan este mod eraie!
Ha. Aa spun musulmanii cam aa. Se numete perfeciune?
Prerea onestitii? Care? ntreb
Noi i democra ia
Dac cineva ca Abu Sufian
1
pune bazele unui partid politic,
Vom tri i de democraie ne vom bucura?
Pace
Chiar exist n afara dic ionarului?
Tatl meu
De ce nu s-a oprit viaa
cnd a murit tata?
Soarele zilei
Ce va mai rmne la orizont
Dac Steaua Zilei dispare?
nainte de nceputuri
La nceput a fost cuvntul
Era linite nainte de nceput?
1
Am putea vorbi despre dou personaje: 1. Negustor bogat din timpul vieii lui Muhammad; 2. Abu Sufian al-
Salamabi Muhammed Ahmed Abd al-Razziq, nscut la 6.08.1962, n al-Bawgah, Sudan; personaj din lumea
tenebroas a celor antrenai de al -Qaeda. n 1996, de pild, s -a antrenat n campusul de antrenament Khalden,
Afghanistan, patronat de al -Qaeda. A intrat n legtur i ce i care au orchestrat atacuri mpotriva Americii .a.
Dup 2005 locaia lui este necunoscut. Probabil poetul se refer la al doilea personaj.
86
52.
Diverse chipuri
Lobna Almanusi (Maroc)
Lisa:
tiu c violoncelul tu
s-a plictisit s tot repete aceeai melodie.
Fluturii negri
Te lovesc cu mai mult lumin.
Adevrat.
Hainele tale albe
i zgzuiesc gndirea prea liber!
Cnd degetele i mprtie
Melcii
n axul tu interior.
tiu c e necesar
Pentru tine s hoinreti printre cutele
mbucate de taine,
aruncat de zile
fr s-i implice picioarele
n jocul grdinilor lor invizibile.
Lisa:
tiu c cerul crud
E ca o portocal a toamnei noastre care se apropie.
nc e n legtur
Ateptnd miresmele noastre
i culoarea vechilor noastre dorine
87
Edith:
Nu e nevoie
Ca luminile porturilor s arate ca noi.
Noi avem nevoie doar de muzica
Ce poate merge dincolo.
Membrana oceanului
Se rostogolete sub fibrele noastre.
Avem nevoie de alte transformri solare
Sub item.
Astfel ca nisipurile s nu se mai poat amesteca cu noi
i s mzgleasc universul
Cu nsumarea femeii
Potrivite pentru fpturi,
Cu care s interacioneze,
Venind numai din direcia capului.
Farrukh:
Singur, sunetul gol
Al apogeului blestemului
Strbate cupele nopii
Fr nici o plrie,
Fr nici o femeie,
Sau
O mn a ntunericului,
El se prbuete
cade
88
53.
Poetei lui nmiresmeaz-m
Said Kan (Libia)
nmiresmeaz-m!
Pentru c am nevoie de un pic din parfumul iasomiilor.
mprtie mireasma
Romanielor
mprejurul meu!
Asediaz-m!
Transform poemele n nori de nectar
n jurul meu,
i m inund!
Atta poezie-am auzit
Dar
Nu-i att de dulce, ct e s te aud pe tine.
Transformi litera ntr-un parfum
Cnd vine de pe buzele tale.
Aadar iart-m!
Sunt Nebunul poeziei.
Aa c accept
Nebunia mea!
89
54.
Spa ii
Mohammed Shadi Keskin (Siria)
Iat-m,
Vedenia ta m vneaz.
Singur, ca o enigm,
Privesc pe fereastra mea
Distanele
i zidurile m asalteaz.
Astfel, mi nchid ochii fr pleoapele mele
M trezesc fr nici o Lun,
Plec fr nici o cltorie
i scriu ie suspinele mele
Pe imnul insomniei
cu cerneala lacrimilor mele
sta e necazul meu.
Acela e vestitorul meu:
Aadar, ia
Caracteristicile necazului necului meu.
Alung-mi disperarea, alung-mi zdrnicia,
i orice murdrie am n mine.
Privete-m ca pe o melodie
n ritmul destinului.
Trec strada
Fr picioare,
Fr vreun pas
Ori cltorie!
Eu, laolalt cu vrsta universului, s fie vrsta mea.
ambiia mea n ce te privete este venicia;
E venicia mea fr urm?
90
Eu sunt clipele celor care au murit fr motiv,
i au trit fr un scop.
Eu i timpul suntem n rzboi.
Fapt pentru care mi blamez vrsta,
Dac nu sporete insomnia,
Dac nu triesc n pericol.
M trezesc n durere,
i nu adorm fr durere.
Reprezint o mulime de dileme;
De o parte e iluzia universului,
De alta iadul grijii mele.
n pulsul meu sunt eu i focul,
Via fr gol.
Att sunt de familiarizat cu-ale vieii mele nenorociri.
Ele nu-mi fac picioarele s tremure!
i atunci cum se face c acum lipitoarea timpului
M ntreab
Care-a fost boala mea,
Cu rnile mele presrat -am
Distanele mele?
i voi povesti lui despre trecut,
Despre amintirea pentru care triesc?
i voi spune
C sunt o coard fr vreun rol.
O greeal fr vreo scuz.
n rzvrtirea mea sunt o furie
Care-mi atinge n tain slbiciunea.
Rana mea i cu mine ne suntem sortii.
Mereu am adunat
Sngerarea mea
Dar cnd vine cltoria mea
ctre tine
fii sigur,
voi striga pentru mine nsumi destul!
Am inundat cu snge trecutul meu,
i mi-am nlcrimat vremurile,
i salutat de rmas bun camarazii la mormintele lor,
n timp ce-mi obligam lacrima s se ascund.
i acest suflet?
n palma mea
Voi striga: O, ego al meu destul!
91
55.
Oglinzile imaginii
Layila Ibrahim (Arabia Saudit)
Implor ntunericul nopii,
i adorm.
Lumina lunii ciugulete
Din visul meu,
De aceea reflecia picur.
Imaginea, o licrire care aprinde focul sentimentelor
Reflecia oglinzii, o strlucire a luminii.
n imagine,
tu, o poian cu trandafiri,
Eu, parfumul tu.
Reflecia, moliciunea brizei,
i ciripitul boabelor de rou.
Aceast reflecie e o prines legendar
Care poart diamantul extazului
Noaptea mprtie esena sufletului ei pentru vecinul refleciei
Extaziind stelele, iar galaxiile srbtoresc
Melodia
Fermectoarei reflecii.
Zorii cresc n inima nopii,
Fructele-i se revars,
i lumina urc pe fruntea deprtrii i transcende.
Stins-i insomnia, astfel reflecia se risipete.
92
56.
Strini
Muhammed el-Muaghout (Siria)
Mormintele noastre ntunecoase-s pe colin
i noaptea se pogoar peste vale
Micndu-se ntre zpad i tranee
i tatl meu ucis se-ntoarce pe calu-i auriu.
Din pieptul lui firav
Rzbate-a pdurilor tuse
i zgomotul roilor frmate
i geamtul pierdut printre stnci
Cnt un nou cntec pentru omul pierdut
Pentru copilul blai i vitele moarte pe malul stncos
Oh, muni frmai de zpad i stnci
O, rule care-l pe tata nsoeti n a lui expatriere
Las-m s m sting ca o lumnare n btaia vntului
S m zbat ca apa-n jurul vaporului
Iat! Durerea-i ntinde trdtoarele-i aripi
i moartea atrnat de talia calului
Ptrunde-n pieptul meu ca ocheada unei adolescente
Ca suspinul asprului vnt
93
57.
ntre tine i mine
Ibrahim el-Kahwaji (Maroc)
ntre tine i mine, Zeul,
i florile de septembrie,
brourile aniversare,
i creta viselor,
i chipuri care locuiesc amintirile
nviind
Tentaiile mele n ochii ti,
i oraele suferinei tale
Femei din cenu
Pentru minile de cret i pine
Acest imn,
Pentru cea frumoas uitat ntre flori.
Ziua ta sosete obosit:
O zi pe care tu ai ngropat -o ntr-o zi.
Chinul nvluie inima ta n scrum.
Apoi duminica, linitit, a venit.
Pasrea care nu-mi vorbete
nainte s apari tu ca un corp strlucitor pe cerul meu,
Obinuiam s-l privesc,
Ateptnd s se aprind ntr -o tragedie,
Moartea mi ddea trcoale!
94
58.
O Lun pe trotuarul ntristatului
Rifky Asaf (Iordania)
Spaiul m constrnge
i noaptea-i pierde briza din pletele-i ce nicicnd nu dorm.
Vara pescruii din vis dau msura amintirii vergii i a navei
Ct despre soare e negru-n jurul ochilor i expatrierea sa nal cu umbra -i
cenuie
Pe prag.
Parfumul care se amestec cu pasiunea, dac tii,
n-are mndrie.
Trotuarele sunt reci pe unde petrecreii au hoinrit
Moartea e pur, conservnd vaginul, protejnd ploaia de pe foile lui Narcis
Uile-nchise sunt patrii care au culoarea geamtului trectorilor
Din strduele nguste
i Amman
1
i bea epuizarea la ua vechiului bar de pe Muntele Al -Wabideh
Ne plimbm
i Allah ne iubete
Noi duceam zidurile pe umerii notri s ne refugiem n faa izvoarelor cu parfumuri
care strigau la noi
S mplinim suprema virtute
Sracii treceau pe sub copaci
ncovoindu-i statura
i salutndu-i pe alii
1
Capitala Iordaniei.
95
Pace crilor aezate pe podea, bolnave dup ce i -au uitat titlurile.
Conjunctivita mnnc ochii proprietarului de stand care n -a dormit de cnd
minaretul a trecut
Care ngna, din spate, numele Domnului
Care exalta Numele Lui
n Raghadan
1
staia principal de autobuz
Aa muli indivizi au murit
Desculii se mbulzesc pe asfaltul fierbinte
i dorm pe aceleai trotuare reci
i se nvelesc singuri ntr-un ziar de al crui nume nu le pas
Sau tirile despre Bizan, care a czut pentru c -au ntrebat clugrii care e genul
ngerilor
Ori tirile despre Nebuchadnezzar
2
Sau Cyrus
3
sau Ahmadinejad
4
sau Wayne Rooney
5
Sau nisipul pe care femeile din alt loc dorm goale cci soarele nu mai este gratis
Cafenelele
Vnd somn
La acelai pre cu al unei ceti aromate de cafea
Care rcete c i sngele rece din vene
nainte ca bieandrul s-l fi luat ca s-l bea, a mbriat geanta de un negru -pal ca
sufletul lui
Plin cu metal i membre umane adunate din privirile pline de arogan
i fesele blugilor
Asta-i alt minciun
Culoarea nu-i dect reflecia cerului i refracia luminii
i frngerea inimilor triste la uile hotelurilor care au monopolizat plaja
i lacrimile au monopolizat sarea
Aici
Pn i mrile mor
1
Zona din Amman.
2
Nabucodonosor II regel al Babilonului. n ebraic N bkadnssar sau Nebuchadrezzar; n englez:
Nebuchadnezzar.
3
Cyrus al II-lea cel Mare (559-529 .C.), mprat al Imperiului Persan. Ahaimene a unit triburile persane n
jurul anului 700 .C., ntemeind dinastia Ahemenizilor
4
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: preedintele n exerciiu (al aselea) al Republicii Islamice Iran.
5
Wayne Mark Rooney (n. 24 oct. 1985, Liverpool) fotbalist englez.
96
Sracul
mprumut o mare
O fereastr
i un mormnt adnc
ntr-un col mohort btucit de pai
Mulimea are solemnitatea ei
Cum i furnicile au
Nu poi numra trectorii, nici nu le poi scruta chipu rile
Nici nu poi percepe motivul pentru care pare c seamn cu unul a crui fa se tot
repet
De ce nici unul nu-i aa
Norul nu are prieteni
Pentru c prietenia scurt nu dureaz
Dispare n memoria trist a telefoanelor celulare aruncate n buzunarele uzate
Dispare ntr-un fel de plnset n piepturile acelora care nu pot pstra o amintire -n
buzunarele lor
Afar de cea a mncrii
i hoinresc pe asfaltul nfrumuseat cu trandafiri, brodate cu anvelopele mainii
unei femei care n-ar trebui s conduc pe pmnt
Noaptea mi-a trdat chipul n oglind
Aa cum era vocea mea n ecoul de pe coridoare
Noaptea amgea fantomele cortinelor s cread c inima e la fel de alb ca un stol
de porumbei albi
La ua oraului
Profeii stteau la coada celor deportai
i plecau
97
59.
Allah
de Mustafa Murad (Palestina)
Cu mine fost-ai mereu,
Veghind obosita-mi frunte,
Iar frmate-mi de ndoieli zilele sunt
Pe-ale ntrebrii aripi.
O, Doamne,
M-ai aezat
La rscrucea celor patru drumuri!
Crucificat fr ngeri
n timp ce marginile ddeau pe dinafar
Am spus:
Pete-nainte ori cuvnteaz!
Orizonturile pori nchise sunt,
Iar dedesubt
Fr de fund abisul e
Te-am cunoscut n negarea mea
La tine alergnd cu-a mea nechibzuin.
98
O, Doamne,
n suferina adevrului hoinar
Te privesc!
n chinul experienei
Te-am auzit
O oapt
De parc rsuflarea ta ar fi strlucit
Picurnd n ascultrile-mi tcute
O lumin topindu-se n ochii mei,
Un ru al dorului i al dorinei
mpresurndu-m,
mpresurndu-mi lucrurile i alctuirea
Veghind
Ritmul meu agitat
i fruntea-mi obosit
Oh, Doamne
Nu m-am plecat
Nici nu m-am jeluit
Ct nc mai am puls,
Spunndu-i pulsului meu:
Nu jeli, nici necjit nu fi
Cci Domnul e cu noi
99
60.
Eu scriu
Sulaf Abbas (Tunisia)
Eu scriu pentru c scrisul nu e o amulet
Eu scriu ca pmntul s nu se despice i s m -nghit
Eu scriu n timp ce copacul prinde rdcini
Eu scriu n senilitate i n anticipare
Eu scriu pentru c nimeni nu m poate mpiedica s scriu
Eu scriu nainte s orbesc
Eu scriu pentru c mi -e mil de funcionari
Eu scriu ca s fiu mai aproape sau mai departe
Eu scriu aa c nu voi renuna la speran
Eu scriu cu ei
Eu scriu pentru c-mi plac ziarele
Eu scriu pentru c nu pot suferi cuvintele
Eu scriu cnd se sfrete noaptea
Eu scriu s m eliberez din iadul scrisului
Eu scriu cci refuz mitul i magicul
Eu scriu s pot poseda toate cuvintele
Eu scriu pentru c neajutorat sunt n faa morii
Eu scriu ca alii s m citeasc
Eu scriu pentru ca s pot ascunde cuvintel e i crea alte cuvinte
Eu scriu spernd s pot sri n gol
Eu scriu cci vreau s aflu o soluie pentru moarte
Eu scriu pentru cei vii
Eu scriu c-mi e fric
Eu scriu pentru c nu m pot opri din scris
Eu scriu a s m pot iubi pe mine i pe alii
Eu scriu i trec peste gol
Eu scriu i gndesc
Eu scriu n toate timpurile muzicale
Eu scriu n singurtate
Eu scriu noaptea
Eu scriu pentru scris
Eu scriu pentru c scrisul e un vis
Eu scriu cci scrisul e-n zadar
Eu scriu a s resping destinul
Eu scriu cci cuvintele m oprim
Eu scriu pentru c-am nceput s m tem de singurtate
100
Eu scriu pentru c sunt contra raionalismului
Eu scriu ca s pot
Eu scriu pentru c majoritatea timpului sunt tcut
Eu scriu apoi rd aa mult
Eu scriu pentru c sunt viu
Eu scriu cci scrisul e singura reacie care m face s realizez c -s liber
Eu scriu astfel nct m-a putea goli de fiina mea
Eu scriu ca s nu nnebunesc
Eu scriu pentru c-mi plac cuvintele
Eu scriu pentru c m grbesc i n-am timp
Eu scriu pentru c-mi plac crile
Eu scriu mpotriva lor
Eu scriu ct timp sunt n istorie
Eu scriu n vreme ce sar n gol
Eu scriu mpotriva voinei tale
Eu scriu dup ce ridic parma
Eu scriu cci s-ar putea s caut ceva ce nu exist
Eu scriu n timp ce sunt ameninat
Eu scriu ct vreme rzboiul continu
Eu scriu s n-o iau razna
Eu scriu n timp ce cuvintele fug de mine
Eu scriu pentru c nu sunt nici marf, nici nu -s considerat doar ruinoase organe
genitale
Eu scriu pentru c sunt n labirint
Eu scriu cu cerneal neagr
Eu scriu, scriu ca s pot aprinde focul
Eu scriu dimineaa
Eu scriu n pierdere
Eu scriu pn cnd rsare soarele
Eu scriu pentru c scrisu-i o reacie care nu condus de necesitate
Eu scriu pentru c sunt contra tuturor formelor de autoritate
Eu scriu ntruct scrisul nu-i sacru
Eu scriu mpreun cu moartea
Eu scriu dorina nu obiectul ei
Eu scriu dup citire
Eu scriu dezacordul meu
Eu scriu s m pot juca
Eu scriu pentru c sunt deviant
Eu scriu i nu vreau s apr omul cci el nu este slab
Eu scriu ca s nu fiu ca ea
Eu scriu aa c s-ar putea s nu m sinucid
Eu scriu n vreme ce tot spaiul sta e naintea mea
101
61.
Emigrantul
Reem el-Ban (Yemen)
Sunt un arab sfiat de arabismului meu.
Patria mea mi-a distrus identitatea naional
i mi-a schimbat profilul personal
Dintr-un bun cetean
ntr-un turist nimic mai mult.
M-am ntors n patria mea,
mbriez valurile nvalnice precum sentimentele mele
Adnci ca suferina mea,
Dau mna cu cerul ei limpede ca i copilria mea.
Patria mea nu m-a recunoscut.
i-a nfipt arttorul n rnile mele inflamate cu compasiune pn la hemoragie.
nenorocit, am prsit -o.
Nu mai e patria mea.
Nici eu nu mai sunt un bun cetean.
Am plecat cu o vorb n minte, pe care o tot repet:
Dac casa ta nu te primete,
Lumea nu va fi de ajuns de neleapt pentru tine ca s te gzduiasc!
102
62.
Scene
Fatima el-Hamzawi (Tunisia)
Prima scen
Se ridic cortina,
Chipul lui scnteiaz
n palma ei,
Ademenitor ca visul
ncins ca respiraia ei.
Astfel, ochii ei sunt splai cu lumin
i cireaa germineaz
Pe buze.
Noaptea asta
trandafirii se vor cstori
cu anotimpurile pe care nu le plac.
Ele i las visurile
Pe pragul zorilor,
i pleac fr nici o lacrim.
Cade cortina
i dup aplauze
Ea-i amintete
C visa!
104
63.
Cei doi ochi verzi
Amel Donkol (Egipt)
Cei doi ochi verzi
Sunt dou evantaie
n slile ncinsei veri
Dou cntece cltoare
nlndu-se din flautele pstorilor
Cu parfumul compasiunii
Cu condoleanele zeilor luminii ctre oraele suferinei
De doi ani
Construiesc o barc a iubirii
Cu dou pnze nscute din dor pentru ea
Aa c s-ar putea s navighez
n cei doi ochi limpezi
Ctre insulele de coral
Ce dulce se tulbur valul
Astfel, pleoapele se las
n timp ce m uit dup o vsl
Pentru credin
105
64.
Oglinda
Munir Awald el-Jilali (Maroc)
Stai singur
Ca drumurile tcute-n noaptea de rzboi.
Fr s bagi de seam
Trimii oglinda fi zorilor.
Fluturii unui strvechi om sunt un cociug al regelui care a gsit n cele din urm
rul.
Caii au pornit n grab precum sngerarea unei port ocale,
Btile tobelor i ale morilor,
oamenii rnii ca norii i clopoeii ca fluturii alearg nluntrul cailor care alearg
prin nluntrul cociugului
care alearg prin pat care alearg prin oglind.
Oglinda, din nou,
Soldaii trag n La Gioconda
doar rul
zmbete
106
65.
Poeme nu foarte triste
Izzet el-Tiri (Egipt)
Brbatul sterp
i bate nevasta n fiecare zi
n timp ce nevasta plnge n fiecare zi
precum copiii
O femeie stearp
i hrnete brbatul la snul ei
i-i spune:
dormi, copilaul meu, dragul meu!
Omul sterp,
Umple casa
Cu ppui, i leagne i dulciuri
Pentru soia lui!
Orb, brbatul s-a plictisit de bastonul lui
Visnd la o femeie
Pe care s se sprijine n fiecare diminea,
i s aib alte interese noaptea.
Dac mama ar fi respins dorina tatei
Sau s-ar fi scuzat n noaptea aceea,
Eu nu a mai fi aprut!
Poetul are multe case din versuri
dar nici una din crmizi
Ea st n bibliotec,
Bnd versuri fierbini,
Iar eu beau ceai
Aa c pot citi ce bea ea
El a cobort
s asculte
muzica rului
dar asta l-a necat!
107
66.
Abdel Halim Hafez
1
Munir Mezyed (Romnia)
Privighetoare cafenie,
Rege al romanei,
Ai plecat
Ai plecat n venicie
Noi am rmas n ast haotic suferin
O, privighetoare cafenie
Voce a umanit ii
Voce a revoltei
Voce a viselor
Voce a iubirii i libertii
Voce a Domnului pe pmnt
Ai plecat
Ai plecat n venicie
Noi am rmas n ast haotic suferin
O, privighetoare cafenie,
Rege al romanei,
Ai plecat
Cntecele erau terne nainte de tine
Iar acum fr tine, moarte sunt.
1
Abdel Halim Isma'el Shabana, cunoscut ca Abdel Halim Hafez, 1929 -1977, supranumit i el-Andaleeb el-
Asmar (Privighetoarea Cafenie); actor, cnt re egiptean (unul din cei mai mari ai lumii arabe) foarte popular n
Orientul Mijlociu.
108
O, privighetoare cafenie,
Ai plecat
Nimfele Nilului s-au sinucis
Hapi
1
a nnebunit, frmnd harpa apelor
Pstorii i-au abandonat turmele
Florile s-au vestejit
Pierzndu-i delicatele miresme
Prigoriile, graurii i canarii au plecat
Plngnd,
Jelind dispariia regelui lor
O, privighetoare cafenie,
Rege al romanei,
Ai plecat
O, privighetoare cafenie,
Va mai exista oare via fr cntece?!
1
Nume dat de vechii egipteni Nilului.
109
Viaa e foarte dulce cnd e nvluit -n iubire
Munir Mezyed
110
67.
ahul
Hassan el-Raey (Siria)
Poate,
Dac turnul s-ar retrage un ptrat
Regele ar fi fr aprare.
Calul a lovit cu piciorul pieptul unui pion grbit.
Nebunul a ntins un trunchi ncrcat de ur,
Trntind la pmnt calul obosit s cltoreasc
i ca o sgeat luminoas
Regina a fcut o gaur n pntecul Nebunului ghiftuit cu cadavre.
Dar un pion la
A mpins-o pe regin ntr-un eleteu cu snge.
Astfel, regina a murit sufocat, netiind adevrul.
ntr-un ptrat incolor,
edea un nger incolor,
Plantnd un trandafir incolor.
Lui nu-i psa de toat ntunericul acela pe care regele l -a lsat n urm
Nici nu-i psa de toat acea lumin pe care mucalita ur o lungete.
Lui nu-i psa de nimic din cele ce se ntmplau n conflictul acela prostesc al
morii.
Cnd jocul s-a sfrit
ngerul a spus fr s fie surprins:
Ca de obicei, toi s-au mperecheat!
111
68.
Ceaca Secretului
Nasir Badwan (Iordania)
Melodia vine ca o revelaie.
O, inim a poetului, ct de mult poi suporta?
O, inim a poetului, ct de mult poi rbda?
n ast deriv-a timpului fugitiv,
Clipa curge din palma ta.
Aa c, mergi cu suprarea ta zvrcolindu -te
Pn ctre adncurile Scenei!
Stai linitit i contempl!
O, inim a poetului, ct de mult poi rbda?
O, ceaca Secretului,
Savureaz cu voluptate Taina!
O, ceaca Tainei, reveleaz-mi orice doreti!
O, ceac a Tainei,
Aceasta este setea plvrgelilor,
i apa ta e dulce i pur
Aadar, toarn din izvorul tu
S umezeasc buzele celor nsetai
i cnt melodia ta
Ca s miti sufletele.
O, bulbul
1
,
Ciripitoareo,
Zorile sunt aproape
la fel i timpul
ca tu s cni cntecul tu
pe strunele razei de soare!
opteti,
O, tain a optitului,
i rneti
Harpa tcerii,
Rnete
i las cntecul s urce tot mai sus !
1
Bulbul (Pycnonotidae): familie de psri cnttoare (cca. 130 de specii) din Africa i Asia tropical. Din
persan sau, poate, din turc: blbl tradus la noi privighetoare. n China, de pild, numele popular este
bi-tu wng (btrnul cu capul alb), n timp ce ornitologii folosesc termenul bi -tu bi bulbul cu capul alb.
112
69.
Vers
Hayat el-Rayis (Tunisia)
Apoi a nnebunit din cauza extazului
Lumina ptrunde printre
drele de ploaie.
Apoi devine
nebun
din cauza extazului.
Fulgerul se ferete
De ploaie
n toate prile
temndu-se de umezeal.
Stelele i ploaia curg mprtiate
Pe pieptul cerului
S-i presare basmaua
De cte ori sunt lovite de trezie
i plictiseal.
Luna se reazem
De marginea balconului ei
i ntreab:
Cum poate acul ploii
S ese
Toat dantelria asta
Pe ntuneric?
Apa se trezete
Ca un strin
n cer.
Astfel
Ea curge pasional
Peste pieptul ierbii.
113
Ploaia
Se rostogolete
nalt i beat
Pe msur ce se rentoarce
n matc
Ploaia vars
Priae
Inscripionnd un tatuaj
Pe un chip
Al femeii ei
Ploaia surprinde
Pmntul
Cu feminitatea ei uitat
Numai ploaia
Nate
Tremurul
Pmntului!
Din cauza duritii expatriatului
Ploaia evadeaz
Din cer
Spre pmnt!
Tunetul este strigtul ploii
Cnd prsete
Pntecul
Unui nor!
Iarba s-a plictisit
S stea ntins
Sub soare.
Tnjete s fie nfurat
ntr-un nor
Dac ar putea!
114
70.
Te iubesc mai mult!
Hassan Hegazy (Egipt)
Nu conteaz
Dac prul tu e negru
Sau alb
Nu conteaz!
Nu conteaz
Dac faa ta e neagr
Sau alb
Nu conteaz!
Nu conteaz
Dac parfumul tu
E ieftin sau scump
Nu conteaz!
Nu conteaz
Dac trupul tu e moale
Ori tare
Nu conteaz!
Nu conteaz
Dac eti o prines
Cu via n lux
Nu conteaz!
115
Nu conteaz
De eti srac
Speriat de privirile oamenilor
Nu conteaz!
Important pentru mine
E c tu
Doar a mea eti
i c te iubesc mai mult
i dragostea ta e
Dar de la Domnul
Cu adevrat
Te iubesc mai mult
Te iubesc mai mult!
116
71.
Venus
Muhammad el-Manori (Maroc)
Venus a fost nviat
Prin graia ei
S vad ast frumusee
Care-mi subjug simurile
A venit s m felicite
Pe-a inimii ginga iubire.
A ajuns s mpart cu mine
Stilata nunt a cochetriei.
S-a ntors cu floarea vieii
n palm.
117
72.
Pe scurt
Ahmad el-Attar (Maroc)
n expatrierea mea
O existen, somnul
n noaptea mea
Cafea amar
n ochii ti
Un ecou i
Vorbe rmase
i ceva poft
118
73.
Rsul tu
Lubna el-Shalabi (Palestina)
O lumin strlucete n corpul meu,
nlndu-se cu mndrie ca bucuria.
Raza lumineaz strvechea mea suferin,
Cnd absena ta m conduce ctre tine.
Am nevoie de ea ca de aer
ori de cte ori inima mea pulseaz de via.
Tnjesc dup armonia ei muzical
Cnd sunt eu cu singurtatea mea.
n luminoasa ntunecime.
O protecie, rsul tu, o scnteie
Crescndu-mi ncrederea n acest haos,
Ilustru pe suprafaa Pmntului!
119
74.
Nadeta
Munir Awald el-Jilali (Maroc)
Din cauza prea marii ei sensibiliti
De cte ori iubete o pasre, o ascunde n ochiul ei
ntr-o sear
Pasrea i-a uitat aripa
i a plecat cu ochii ei
Cine-i atunci victima
Femeia care iubete cu aripile ei
Sau pasrea care lupt cu ochii ei!
120
75.
Tremurul degetelor
Nawal el-Salih (Maroc)
Du-te i las n urm cteva firimituri de pin e,
i dormi pe o pern care nu cunoate ruinea!
Pentru cntecele nserrii m rog.
Nimeni n-aude sunetul apei
Doar cteva efecte ale cravatei tale,
Mic fotografie dormind cu picioarele goale,
Sticlua cu benzin clamnd victoria pentru Periua de Dini.
Mereu murdare-s robele spltoriei;
Destul dintr-o poveste a unei btrne care nareaz pania vrbiilor ei rzvrtite.
Fugitiv cu tirile frde-neles din ziare.
Doar ministru-i cunoate cuierul de haine.
El st atrnat cu chipul lui fr expresie.
Strada ntrziat a morii i ateapt nasturii de la cma,
Iar femeia cu eleganta ei poet l ateapt pe Godot.
Azilul de nebuni departe nu-i de-aici, o, prines al morii, e pe strada amnat.
Omul perete e o patrie fr imn.
Un cine fr nume linge faa genii.
Se pare c se plimb fr picioare undeva,
Drumul de ntoarcere,
Amintirea ne-ntoarcerii!
121
76.
Precursorii mor ii
Faisal Abdul Wahab Haider (Irak)
Cndva n trecut
Am venit lng buzele focului
Am srutat buzele focul ui.
Astfel, m-am ars, fr cenu
Cndva n trecut
Mi-am ucis tatl
Pentru c
Am motenit de la el suferina
i o cocioab de cas
Iubita mea a venit
Jelindu-m fr lacrimi.
I-am spus:
Cum? Sunt nc viu; nu mor.
Ea a spus
Ai murit cu o mie de ani nainte de a te nate.
122
77.
Tren la apus de soare
Ahmed Fadl Shablool (Egipt)
Nu e ru
Ceea ce vd acum n casa mea
Ci rmie ale amintirilor
Cltinndu-se
n linite
Ca pietrele de var
Trndu-se
n
Noianul din piept
Apoi uitate-s sub paii anilor
Mereu alerg mprejurul meu
i naintea mea
M vd ghemuindu-m n col, povestind
Despre vrful razelor
Despre prieteni i vnt
Despre marea mea i pnze
Cnd eram
Navigatorul acestui val
Melodia neinterzis
Cnd obinuiam s cltoresc
La castele i fortree i minarete
Apoi m-am ntors
Ca un curmal
Scuturat de dorul dup vremurile strbunilor
Astfel obinuiam s revin
Nimicind toate graniele
Strlucitor ca ziua
i mre ca un munte
Persistent ca amrciunea
Milostiv ca mama.
123
78.
Steaua sfenic
Assma Garib (Maroc)
ntr-o camer trist,
ntunecat i rece,
ncropit n jurul unei mese rectangulare
O stea i doi regi
Din ara Galilor, Regina
Din Imperiul Roman, Regele
i, din Pmntul Fgduinei, steaua care ateapt s izbucneasc.
n camera trist,
Vi de snge curg din pletele stelei,
i, din ochii ei, ruri de lacrimi explodeaz a potop
i cei doi regi stau aplecai n tcerea teribil.
Ei toi privesc ndelung la un sfenic straniu
Cu trei coloane de cupru
Inculcate n ele trei lumnr i stinse
n camera rece,
Intr n tcere o femeie ciudat.
Ea crede n Allah, Unicul,
i religia profetului Ahmed.
Ea salut steroidul,
i terge lacrima,
i atinge ciudatul sfenic.
n camera ntunecat i ntre minile ciudatei femei,
Sfenicul se preschimb n Crucea de Aur.
Capul lui e ncoronat cu o lumnare luminoas.
Steaua trgtoare zmbete,
Inima Regelui Roman se frnge,
Regina din ara Galilor plnge.
Astfel, camera radiaz Divinitate i Strlucire.
124
79.
Legi
Bahija Masri Adalbi (Siria)
Sunt o femeie
Cu visuri vagi,
i n sufletul meu
Legi ncpnate
Poezia se topete
de pe genele spiritului meu
i ale revelaiei mele.
n dragoste el i debarc tendinele
Tu reprezini deprtrile mele,
i cerneala vocii mele,
i secretul
Din revelaia poemului.
Chipul meu te-a fcut
O oglind a mea.
Abtndu-se din rnd, o zi a luat -o razna
n grania ei,
Te duc pe tine n sngele meu,
Un secret adnc,
Aa nct inima mea muritoare s -i dea seama
C e nemuritoare.
Am frmntat tcerea
Din noroi
Ateptarea mea
i din focul meu
Am frmntat viziuni exilate.
Am adugat ap
n exilul lacrimilor mele
Ca iubirea mea s-i poat alctui imnul
Dup asemnarea mea
i trntit n jurul secretelor mele
O chemare,
i-mi ascund prostraia lui
n raza secretului meu.
125
80.
Revrsare
Ali Zahrani (Arabia Saudit)
Te aduni n poala mea
Ca ploaia care cade
Un vis, dup un alt vis pierdut.
O, Ea-copilul ploii,
Scufundat n absenteism
nluntrul meu senzaiile supraabundenei
Aspirnd s te mbri eze,
nluntrul meu o suferin a dorinei
Frnge inima iubitului
Sfiat de deprtri.
Att de aproape i lipit de mine
Departe ca ndeprtatul ocean,
C te iubesc e ceva, o siguran ce -mi trebuie.
Nu e problema mea cine a ales.
ie i nmnez inima mea
Am iubit moartea i navighez cu tine
Ia-m
Nu-mi trimite inima-napoi
126
81.
Cine eti tu!
Hadia el-Abdullah (Liban)
Cine eti tu,
S faci ca micul meu poem s tremure de cte ori i -e amintit numele
Rvnind i zmbind
S faci ca micul meu poem s te poarte dincolo de unde deseneaz sufletul un
zmbet.
Cine eti tu!
timpul te fur dintr-o dat
din absena domolit,
aezndu-te n cutiile vrstei mele
provizia ateptrii
Cine eti tu!
Tu vii la mine ca un ghiont
Adunndu-m din rmiele seri i mele, o diminea
acolo unde eti tu,
i m inculci peste golurile tale
O sorbitur
i apoi dispari.
Cine eti tu cine!
S conduci tulburarea prin sngele meu
O durere amorf,
Adugnd n filonul indiferenei
Ca singurtatea,
De cte ori licrirea ochilor ti
Dispare din timpul meu.
Cine eti tu...!
Timpul fr tine e-un deprimant nghe
n timp ce tcerea e urlet n vulcanul meu
i plecarea ta
rceal i foc.
127
82.
Cele mai dulci poeme
Muhammad Ali Hani (Tunisia)
Acesta este sngele meu
Scond
O sabie-flacr
i ipnd
n faa poemelor
i cuvntnd:
Numai copilul pietrelor
i-a notat cele mai dulci poeme!
128
83.
De-ar fi fost biatul o piatr
Ali el-Jallawi (Bahrain)
Obinuia s-i spun propriei umbre
Pacientul care se afl n patul alfabetelor
D mrului un sens diferit.
Spunea ea,
n timp ce-mi cutam mna la pieptu-i,
C a ascuns chipul Domnului ntre dou cntece
O, Doamne,
Cnd mergea, i buimcea pe copiii din inima mea
i fcea, judecnd dup detaliile conversaiei,
nc o dat din mere victime, concentrndu -se asupra nelesului
Ea a acuzat metafora c ar fi biat
De-ar fi fost biatul o piatr.
i eu era doar eu nsumi
Am ncercat s fiu aidoma celorlali,
Limpede, ori cu pai estompai
Apucnd umbra lui de picioare
i acordnd iar violina, bluza ta
Apoi el m-a pus la ncercare
Dar eu eram doar eu nsumi eu nsumi
Posed o barc din pergament, i -o mping contra rului timpului
Pe cnd gulerul meu e rsucit i eu m ntorc din mine nsumi
129
i am ndoiala violetului
Cnd urc pe scrile zidurilor
i arunc poemul ntre snii femeii
Ca s reasigure cuvintele,
Despre detalii eu zic c-s nesemnificative, ca i mine
Ca i poziia nasturelui pe sn
Culoarea discuiei mnii tale
La fel ca mrimea celor dou luni n apa corpului tu
Ea vorbea
Iar vrbiile se adunau pe buzele mele
O piatr pe inima mea
i numai de-ar putea fata napoia copacii din rochia ei
O piatr pe inima mea
De-ar fi fost biatul o piatr.
130
84.
Nu voi plnge
1
Fadwa Tokan (Palestina)
O, iubiilor, la uile Yafei
2
n dezordinea cldirilor distruse
ntre grmezile de pmnt i spini
Treaz am stat, ochilor mei spunnd
Stai trezi cu mine i plngei
Pe ruinele oamenilor care au lsat -o singur
Strigndu-i pe cei care-au construit-o
Blamndu-i pe cei care-au construit-o
i inima frnt cu-n geamt
Spune: O, cas, ce s-a ntmplat?
Te-au schimbat zilele?
i unde sunt oamenii care locuiau aici?
Ai aflat ceva dup plecarea lor?
Ai aflat?
Ei au fost aici
ei au visat aici
ei i-au conceput aici
viitoarele lor proiecte
Unde e visul i unde-i viitorul
Unde sunt ele?
Cldirile distruse pstreaz tcerea
Numai absena lor mai vorbete acolo
i tcerea tcerii cu rostirea abandonat de asemenea
Era un grup de bufnie i fant ome
El era un strin, fr ndoial
1
Dup versiunea n limba englez de: Batoul Ahmed.
2
Ora n Israel; ebraic: Yafo; arab Yf; transliterat i Jaffa, Yafa, Japho, Ioppa; supranumit Mireasa
Palestinei.
131
El era el era
Plutind mprejur,
i rspndindu-i smna n ea
El era cel care comanda i prentmpina acolo
El era el era
Inima se umple de regrete
O, iubiilor
Am ters de pe pleoape cenuiile lacrimi ceoase
S te ntlnesc pe tine i ochii mei se umplu de iubire, strlucire i credin
Pentru tine, pentru pmnt i umanitate
Ct de ruinat ar fi dac te-a ntlni,
i pleoapele mi-ar tremura i s-ar umezi!
Cu inim golit de speran i dezamgit!
O, iubiii mei, aici sunt, cu voi,
S iau un strop din nflcrarea voastr
S capt putere din lumina voastr puternic
Sporind a mea lumin
De aici, iubiii mei
ncerc s v cuprind minile
i lng capetele voastre vreau s -mi aez i eu capul
S-mi ridic fruntea cu voi spre soare
O, iubiilor, suntei ca munii notri stncoi ce se in cu semeie
i ca florile patriei noastre ce unduiesc lin
Cum ar putea loviturile s m striveasc?
Cum ar putea disperarea s m striveasc?
i cum s plng n faa voastr a putea?
Jur, dup ziua asta nu voi mai plnge!
132
85.
Sirena tuturor timpurilor
Subhi Niall (Siria)
O, draga mea, dac ai avea
Rmie ale nebuniei
i ceva din creaiile mele
Istoria ar schimba tabloul durerilor,
i ar construi palate din pi etre de coral pentru mine.
Tu, draga mea,
Eti sirena tuturor timpurilor
Un giuvaer cu rubine
Pe rmul uitrii.
Dac construieti palate
Dac presari flori
Vei fi mereu, iubirea mea,
Generoas
Ca apa pentru nsetai.
Pentru c tu, draga mea,
Eti sirena tuturor timpurilor
Tu, iubirea mea,
Eti i imnul timpului.
Tu, viaa mea,
i rmia viselor,
i viziunilor oamenilor.
Parfumul tu va dinui.
Tovarul meu indiferent de ce s -a-ntmplat
i ochii ti, iubita mea,
Muza melodiilor!
133
86.
Ho ii de vise
Youssef el-Harbi (Arabia Saudit)
Fire de vis
i dou praie
i vrsta se leagn
ntre
Picturile de rou ale amintirii
i ecourile cuvintelor care nu tiu cum s trieze.
Cercul singurtii
Al crui centru se zbate de dor
E gzduit de suferina tcerii
i mulimea de lacrimi
O, prines a inimilor,
Viaa e-aa constrngtoare cu dorinele ei
Aa plin de
granie i ctue,
n spaiu speranele strlucesc
i n inim
O respiraie grea tun
Cu foste interaciuni
dup arderea genelor amintirii
Prinesa inimilor
mprtie parte din frica ei,
i reveleaz speranele,
i ptrunde n roiul gndurilor
Dnd napoi
Cutnd refugiu pe malurile viziunilor,
Umplnd pustiul vieii cu vise.
134
Prinesa visului
i leagn genele pe
Trsturile locului.
Astfel, adncimile ei sunt pline de lumin.
n ea i mprtie chinurile visurilor.
Stafia ei seamn cu o viziune
Micorndu-se disprnd
Ca soarele iarna
ngemnat cu lumina zilei,
pentru c o ateapt demult,
Pn ce ateptarea devine gri
Ca strlucitorul ru,
i vrbiile rugndu-se pentru el n cuiburile lor,
Lunec spre el,
i pleac cu extazul iubirii,
Depind spoiala suferinei
i gardul lacrimilor.
Ei se apropie
Cu braele larg deschise
Spre darul destinului i mila lui.
Mna zilelor se ntinde
S sufoce lumnarea visului,
O ridic,
Aducnd-o, din nou, napoi pe aleile vieii.
A fost un vis doar un vis!
135
87.
Unei brunete
Lutfi Zaghlul (Palestina)
O, bruneto, noaptea-i geloas pe ochii ti,
Pe-al tu pr,
Trandafiri i nasrin
1
, busuiocu-i gelos pe parfumul tu.
Magia e geloas
Cnd i faci apariia ntruchipnd farmecul desvrit.
Fiece vie e geloas pe dulcea miere a gurii tale.
Orice cercettor se ntreab care -i secretul secretului tu?
Mintea e confuz n ce te privete Mintea e confuz n ce te privete
n ochii ti
Gseti ceva ce nu mai afli nicieri dect la tine.
Am venit la tine
Explicndu-i dorina arztoare
Aa c strnge-m tare la pieptul tu
O, frumoaso, cred n extraordinara ta frumusee
Luna i soarele sunt n stpnirea ta
Adoram s fiu captiv
Ziua n care am ajuns, o, bruneto, prizonierul tu,
Sunt un btrn marinar dar m-am necat n marea ta
Spune-mi, o, bruneto,
Dup toate aceste doruri,
Mai sunt eu n mintea ta?
Eu, un credincios
Dar cu adevrat mi -e fric de necredina ta
Fie ca Allah s-i dea via lung
Fie ca Allah s-i dea via lung
1
ntlnit i n ortografierea occidental: Nassrin/ Nassreen/ Nasreen; trandafir slbatic.
136
88.
Sge ile tainelor
Layila Ibrahim (Arabia Saudit)
Tainele noastre sunt
perle ascunse pitite n scoica inimii
Melodii locuind ntre coardele vocale,
Lapte ascuns n golurile mldielor amintirii,
Mici picuri rotunde de ap n adncul focarului spiritului
Tainele noastre sunt sgei,
Prizoniere-n anticamera tcerii,
Dormind n recipientul ochiului
nmnuncheate n inteniile conversaiei.
Tainele noastre
sunt
Vrbii locuind n coastele noastre.
Cnd esem pentru ele aripa vocii,
Ele declaneaz furia vntului
i-i iau zborul!
137
89.
Fug de la tine spre tine
Majida Abdel Nabi (Egipt)
n iele cztoare ale nopii,
Pe genele mele somnoroase,
mi ascund amintirile,
i-adorm n murmurul lor curgtor
Aidoma unui ru ce nu se mai oprete din drum
Acolo,
Navighez nluntrul meu
Mereu arznd
Cu fiecare puls lucind n zidul de foc,
i mor din nou
Cu fiece litera care nc nu s -a nscut.
O, tu, cel care m prazi,
M furi din amintirea mea.
Cum poi s fii nluntrul meu i s m alctuieti
chiar i n firele nopii,
fug de la tine spre ele.
Mereu acolo te vd
Ondulndu-le i aezndu-le pe gtul meu amintirile mele
138
90.
M autoabsorb
Dalia el-Saleh (Siria)
M autoabsorb.
Simt c sunt pustiit
Ca rmurile locuite de singurtate.
Nu zbor niciodat.
Doar m plimb pe iele iluziei
S unesc nimicul meu cu zvoarele aurii
Expatrierea e libertatea
Coapt prin sufocare n zone necunoscute ale sufletului
O, patria tnjete!
Majoritatea ziarelor idioate
s-au agitat nainte de mine.
Btrna expatriere pndete
ntre coastele mele.
Rsuflarea mea descrescnd tnjete
Spernd c iluzia va revrsa
Seminele ploii
M prbuesc n buci.
mi sting setea ntr-un inut vduvit
Sunt strin.
M autoabsorb.
Inima mea e pe marginea ferestrei
Frica cuibrindu-se n ea.
mi vd cellalt corp al meu halucinnd.
Patria mea e primul meu chip.
Patria mea e un leagn pe care-l inhalez.
139
91.
oapt
Shaghia el-Sewidi (Oman)
Tu! Ai simit gustul singurtii?
L-ai gustat mcar o zi?
Nu! Nu e ciocolata vndut n magazine
Ha, ha, ha, se pare c n-ai gustat niciodat
Singurtate, o, tu, nseamn c eti cu totul singur, chia r dac ei sunt n preajma
ta
Dar dei ei sunt att de numeroi, sunt puini. Curnd vor disprea, devenind
nimic
Nu, nu lua n derdere vorbele mele i nu m numi filosof!
tii c ei sunt toi aici, dar nu-mi percep solitudinea?
Singurtatea triete n suflet. Nimeni nu-i tie nelesul de nu sufer din cauza
ei!
Nu a fost creat nc cel care simte rnile altora,
Orict demult ar ncerca, ei sunt nc incapabili s neleag rana ta.
Rana ta
Durerea ta
Izolarea ta
Sunt att de personale
Ca i paaportul tu
Numele tu
Cartea ta de identitate
Stilul tu
Aa departe O, tu!
140
92.
Poeme scurte
Hussein bin Qurayn Alderm Shaky (Libia)
Oglind:
Toate oglinzile-s concave
Afar de oglinda chipului iubitei mele
Alienare:
El s-a ntors din exil, mpovrat de griji,
i i-a gsit pe toi ateptndu-l
Dar, curnd, a simit nstrinarea!
Suferin
A nvins suferina,
Dansnd de bucurie.
Deodat i-a amintit
C era ziua de natere a iubitei lui
Atunci suferina lui s-a adncit.
Pocin
Domnului m pociesc
Pentru ceea ce am fcut,
i m-am rugat pentru ndurare.
Dar nu cred n iubire
i pctuiesc n pocina mea
Pcat
n toate rugile mele
M-am rugat Domnului s-mi ierte toate pcatele
Mai puin acela de a te iubi pe tine!
141
Dezmierdare
De cte ori el i mngie prul desfcut
Sufletele lor se ntreptrund
n singurtate
n sanctuarul iubirii tale,
caut refugiu
implornd mil de la buzele tale!
Venera ie
Toate vrbiile din lume zboar
mai puin vrbiile mele.
Ele se trsc n onoarea i din preuire pentru tine.
Imposibilitate
Libertatea mea, doamn, e s te ntlnesc atunci cnd a te ntlni era imposibil
Chin
Sunt chinuit, iar respiraiile mele se opresc cu fiecare apus cnd nu te pot vedea
Rmas bun
El a visat-o
i a lsat-o s plece nainte de a avea ocazia
s se ntlneasc
mbr iare
El a ntins minile s o mbrieze
Ea s-a apropiat de el cu braele deschise.
Cnd rsuflarea ei s-a apropiat,
Ea s-a vestejit i a disprut
Atunci el a pornit s-i mbrieze spectrul i s-i srute urmele pailor
142
Gravur scobit adnc
O, tu, cel care locuieti n endosperma amintirii
Scrie-mi un poem,
i atrn-m la pieptul tu,
Astfel nct iubirea mea s poat fi gravat pe zidul timpului!
Sntate perfect
Boteaz-m i purific-m prin iubire...!
Dac ai fi zei
Te-a adora
143
93.
ndeprtare
Bila Muhammad Fadel (Sudan)
Pentru c mi-eti cel mai apropiat prieten
Te ndeprtez
Nu vei fi un exemplu de trdare ntr -o zi
Nici un tovar pentru idealul om de rnd
Aa c, prietene, pe-o astfel de vreme
Te ndeprtez
Te-am testat de attea ori
Dar am euat cnd am vrut s mi te fac camarad pentru totdeauna
De pild:
Te-am fcut prta la secretele mele, toate inventate!
Nu le-ai dezvluit nimnui
Vina ta rezid n lucrurile de baz
Astfel, ai devenit un lene
Nu te-ai plns i n-ai crcnit niciodat, m-ai ajutat tot mai mult
Am venit la tine cu att de multe promisiuni, toate flexibile
Te-ai lepdat de mine i rareori mi -ai ntins o mn
Nu te detest, prietene, din cauza felului tu de a fi.
Dar din cauza astei perioade fr brbie
Se pare c eti un nimeni.
Deci, pentru acest motiv, prietene,
Te ndeprtez
Fr nici un regret.
144
94.
Poeme scurte
Adel Hadi el-Shihri (Arabia Saudit)
n ateptarea norilor
Un curmal
Se odihnete
Sub umbra ei.
Metod
Ea deschide gura
S se vopseasc cu kohl
1
pe gene.
Ce ar trebui noaptea aceea s fac
Pe obrazul
Astei perne,
El i deir crengile viselor
Pentru o or, dou.
Astfel, el coboar
n incontiena somnului
Apoi le ese
Pentru o or sau dou
i se trezete,
Zmbind zorilor.
1
Kohl (cosmetic) amestec de funingi ne i diverse ingrediente
145
95.
Te iubesc ntre dou sge i
Ayob el- Maliji (Maroc)
Seara asta,
Fotografia ta atrnat pe perete
mi-a vorbit.
S-a revoltat a plns.
Am privit o srutare de pe obrazul ei
Era darul tu de Sf. Valentin.
i spun acum
De cte ori pletele tale au fcut o ptur pentru noi
De cte ori genele tale le-ai smuls pentru noi
Ca s pot s-mi cumpr o mas de prnz?
Am protejat-o pe Gioconda i zmbetul ei srat
i ct m ameete ea.
146
96.
Rugciune ctre mare
Hassan Assai el-Sheikh (Siria)
Greoi
Ca un nor al suferinei
La tine vin
Aadar, pcatele-mi spl
Sfie-mi cmaa purpurie de pe mine
i boteaz-mi pcatele cu sarea ta!
O, Mare, O, Mare!
Ai mbria un strin care vine la tine
Cu patima cailor,
priponii acolo unde lor li se confiscase nechezatul
ntemniat n fiorul extinciei?
Pentru venirea acestui uria albastru am celebrat
i aranjat toate ntlnirile mele nesbuite
Am ndesat toate pernele inimii cu punea care ascunde norul amintirii
Ia-m la tine!
Tu, binecuvntata
Boteaz-mi pcatul cu sarea ta O, flux O, curentO, vnt O, mare
Aceasta-i vremea s m reunesc cu apa ia -m
D-mi napoi culorile chipului meu
i forma degetelor s fiu n stare s numesc acuzaia
Ei au furat partea sufletului din surplusul arderii
i au inserat pasiunea inimii n petera de ghea
Aa c du-m la pasiunea nceputurilor
Rennoiete-mi celulele
Tu eti nceputul
i tu eti sfritul!
147
97.
Femeie
Abdul Basit Abu Bakr Mohamed (Libia)
Fr s m tie dinainte ea-nflorete
Astfel, detaliile care lipsesc m fur.
n adncul inimii mele
nflorete o femeie
Pe care ochii niciodat n-o vor pate
Ea nicicnd nu-i deschide inima
Fervorii iubirii,
Oferindu-se visului pn
La hotarele fiorului
Ea e la fel de prezent, ca prezena tainei
n inima cuiva.
O femeie fur strlucirea timpului
Cu ochii ei,
Ea coase o pern pentru timpul ce niciodat nu ruginete
La rstimpuri, ea ndrgete tcerea,
i altdat,
Ea strpunge nopile cu ntrebri
Astfel, ntunericul plete
i secretele curgnd,
Sunt la fel de impresionante i armonioase
Ca btile inimii
148
98.
Prezen stnjenitoare
Fatima el-Hamzawi (Tunisia)
Asupra mea pogoar-i rsuflarea
i druiete-mi privirile tale
Ca s m nasc eu nsumi din tine
i s urmez drumul cel drept
O, tu care eti zpcit din cauza amnuntelor mele
Ca s devin preaplinul tu
Planteaz-m nuntru ntre pulsul tu i -al meu
Ca pletele mele s-nfloreasc,
Scnteieri ale dorului
ntre degetele tale
i a putea sta dreapt
n palma ta
Un cer fr coloane
149
99.
Munir Mezyed cnt pentru Bagdad
Munir Mezyed (Romnia)
Pentru tine, o Bagdad
Izvor de istorie i vise
M rog
i cnt
Bagdad, un palmier
Pe ale crui frunze pururea verzi aipesc toate galaxiile
Din cerul tu nalt
ngerii descind zi i noapte
Pe solul tu sacru
Profeii i martirii i fac abluiunea
n apele Tigrului i Eufratului
Toate znele universului se mb iaz.
O, Bagdad, halo al spiritului!
n suprarea ta, eu sunt durerea,
i n inima ta eu sunt btaia.
Contradiciile te in captiv
n percepia viziunii.
Toamna se ndreapt n mare grab
Ctre al ei sfrit
Iar psrile i prsesc cuiburile.
Inutil s gndesc,
S ntreb,
S regret,
Inutil s contemplu
S iubesc,
i s m-ntristez,
Viaa e o iluzie,
Un vis, orbind sufletul
150
O, Bagdad, halo al spiritului!
Vocea ta e o femeie goal,
Pe ai crei sni dorm
Ascultnd melodia susurat de o cascad.
Vocea ta e un ru grbit, cu dou brae
Curgnd de pe o buz de sus.
Se ntlnesc,
Apoi se despart,
Astfel n vocea ta aud dou femei.
M minunez
ntrebndu-m
Poate tristeea mea s vad
Ori e durerea ta reflectat de al meu spirit?
Aa c se revolt
Erupe
i denun.
O, Bagdad, halo al spiritului!
Nelinitea mea,
Grijile,
Visul plutind n nevzut,
Suferindele iubiri,
i vibraiile spiritului sunt prezente,
Revoltndu-se-mpotriva plictiselii
S nimiceasc clipele nervoase ale arderii,
Fr de foc sau flam.
O, Bagdad, halo al spiritului!
Las-i prezentul s moar!
Las-i visele s rsar din farmecul zilei de mine!
Sunt viu!
Iat! Am ars giulgiul trecutului,
Aezndu-mi visele n ochii ti.
Bagdad,
Te-am privit alergnd pe zidurile viziunii,
Ca picturile de lumin
Prelingndu-se din Camera Soarelui.
O, Bagdad, halo al spiritului!
Inutil s gndim,
Inutil s ntrebm,
151
Inutil s ne ndrgostim,
Viaa nu e dect o iluzie,
Un vis, orbind sufletul
Navigam n spirit
Pe Marea Divinului
Pentru a atinge captul,
i a tri la pieptul Domnului.
Nu pierdem nimic
Dac navigm pe Marea Divinului
Avem flautul ngerilor
i Vocea Domnului,
Vocea adevrului.
Bagdad,
n umbra ochilor ti
Dorm visele i dorinele mele
ntinde mna
Du-m n Regatul Palmierului
Unde palmierul e Stpnul Veniciei.
Spectru al iubirii!
Dragostea ta mi va zdrobi trupul de lut
Fcndu-l sculptura care sunt, o stafie,
O licrire,
Pentru c sunt prea slbit de exil,
i ndurerat
Ah, Bagdad,
Ari ca i cum ai fi sosit dintr -un regat izolat,
Un regat construit din pete de umbr,
i smrcuri de ntuneric.
n st regat
Sunt tablouri fcute de degetele inspirate ale Nebuniei.
Ele deseneaz visul
i culoarea lcomiei cu ale ei apte spectre.
Ah, Bagdad,
Pari ca i cum ai venit dintr -un solitar i ciudat regat
Artnd ca discul rece al Lunii
Fragil ca trunchiul unui copac btrn.
Un strin,
Atat de emoionat i totui nedumerit
De parc o regin a fost detronat,
Forat s abdice.
152
Aa c nu te ntrista, nici nu fi suprat!
Dumanii ti att de ncntai de neltoarea lor victorie
Cad zdrobii
Presai sub papucul Liberalilor
Ah, Bagdad,
Curnd copilul va fi tnr pe deplin,
Te va ntlni la u,
i ateptarea ta nu va fi de nici un folos.
Astfel aceast desprire e o mare a mirajului.
Ah, Bagdad,
Pe nisipurile rmului sufletului meu
Unde nemrginirea atinge
Regatul apei
Cu toate insulele i cascadele ei,
Iar Venicia i-a fcut sla,
Acolo hoinresc cu poezia mea
Sdindu-i florile.
Ah, Bagdad,
Sunt asediat de culorile apusului,
Culori arse pe o mas de cristal.
Nimic nu are nsemntate pentru mine
Fr prezena ta.
Nici ploaia nu mai pare romantic
Nici plnsul cerului,
Ori srutrile soarelui pe buza pmntului.
Tu reprezini toate culorile spectrale.
Ah, Bagdad,
Prezena ta e un vin aromat
Care m face s simt setea sufletului meu,
i nimic altceva nu-mi poate stinge setea,
Dect prezena ta.
Spectru al iubirii!
Pe strvechiul rm pietros
Am stat, n timp ce negura ne-a invadat sufletele.
Privindu-i buzele, am vzut culoarea infernului
i tinereea dansnd pe ele.
153
Ah, Bagdad,
Pe rmurile unde crete amrciunea
Iar arborii pcatelor se ridic nali,
ntr-o noapte furtunoas un om se va opri,
Tu vei descinde.
Strin vei fi,
i tcut,
Cu ochii larg deschii,
Fr de voce vei vorbi
i vei rde fr motiv.
n timp ce eu voi rmne n acea noapte agitat,
Domnul inutului Umbrelor
Stpnul celui mai adnc ntuneric.
Ah, Bagdad,
De ieri
Clipele au trecut,
La fel i orele,
Chiar i aripile zilelor au zburat mai iute.
Am trit aceste clipe, ore i zi le
Pe albele scri ale cerului.
Te-am fcut grdina visului meu,
Rul sentimentelor mele,
i inutul pcatelor mele.
Bagdad,
Sufletu-mi ie nc i este credincios
Precum psrile bete
Bucurndu-se cnd mpart cuibul cu a lor pereche
i ciripesc numele
Pe ramurile visului.
154
Furia, ura i lcomia alctuiesc triunghiul rului
Munir Mezyed
155
100.
Gaza arde Noi murim de foame
Munir Mezyed (Romnia)
n Gaza
Aleile sunt aternute cu sare i snge,
Ppui asasinate nghit otrav i cenu ,
Iar Luna e-o pasre mcelrit care flfie deasupra cimitirelor
ipnd
Aici, pe strdue
Vocile frailor lui Iosif se aud certndu -se
n timp ce Iosif n ntunericul puului
Recit poemele mcelritei ri
Lupul i ascute caninii
Stul de istovire i ateptare
n Gaza
Un corb croncne n tabr
Lingnd scoara nsngerailor arbori
Porumbelul lui Noe pe catargul brcii
E Mort
Barca se frmieaz
Scufundndu-se aproape de plaj
O hait de lupi vneaz mielul lui Crist
Iar pstorul doarme-n patul unei trfe
Ce a mai rmas de murit n Gaza
O, moarte ce vii din firul de gru al amrciunii noastre
Sunt umbra ta
edem pe un cer necunoscut
Urcm munii visului i polii focului
Doar pentru a ne ntoarce s luptm pentr -o nuia.
O, Hashim
1
, tu cel nfurat ntr-o rob-a uitrii
Ridic-te i privete
Recunoti acest copil, cel care trece prin flcri
i se prosterneaz unui mslin
Ce se fudulete-n faa vntului
1
Hashim ibn Abd Manaf, unchi al profetului Muhammad i tatl lui Ali, califul i imamul iiilor.
156
Flirtnd cu soarele
Soarele-i casc gura
Ateptnd s-nghit gheaa tcerii
Aici
Tulpinile de gru ale sufletului es chipul unui Dumnezeu trist
O femeie ade ntre ghea i foc
Vnznd oule viselor
i adunnd resturi de poeme
i cntecele regelui
Triti sunt fluturii poemelor i vrbiile cnttoare
n timp ce Gaza lui Hashim e frmat -ntre pietre de moar
i fraii lui Iosif se ncaier pentru -o bucat
Anat
1
i-a-ntors faa spre munii nopii
Trndu-l pe Ayel
2
de prul brbii lui sure
A presrat pine pe pmnt
i polen n sol
i i-a chemat pe copiii Gazei
O, ncpnat Gaza, dormi singur sub cerul de foc
A vrea s-i desfaci mneca hainei
Pentru a slobozi toate vrbiile armoniei
ara mea e o barc pe o mare fr fund
Prsit de navigatori
Gaza,
Te voi iubi de departe de la deprtarea la care buzele nu se -ntlnesc
Unde vocea cerului se stinge, urcnd spre suflet
Marea nu mai e agitat iar valurile nu mai susur pietrelor
Gaza
M aflu ntre vnt i neant
i am naintat n vrst
Sabia foamei mi sfie coastele
Ne ncntm cu iluzii i unt i cutm
Ceva ce nu gsim
Ce valoare mai au victoria i-nfrngerea
Dac foametea ne-nconjoar
1
Strveche zei feniciano-canaanian a forei vitale i naturii, sor i soie a lui Baal; i -a rzbunat fratele
pedepsindu-l pe Mot, zeul morii. Legenda spune c se blcete n snge, iar drept podoabe are membrele i
capete ale victimelor. Apare i n Vechiul Testament.
2
Ayel: strveche zeitate arab. Era adorat de vechii palestinieni i, n viziunea acestora, i de evrei.
157
Opresiunea este rdcina rului
Munir Mezyed
158
101.
Epopeea infernului i a Muzei
Munir Mezyed (Romnia)
La nceput a fost cuvntul
i tristee a devenit cuvntul
Ce-ar trebui s spun?
Va fi poezia de ajuns
s domoleasc nebunia morii
i s opreasc nesfrita sngerare?
Tristeea mea devine nebunie,
i Dumnezeu e mort n sufletul meu,
n timp ce acesta se transform ntr -un cociug de fum...
Nu vd nimic
Dect foc succednd focului
i toamna urmnd toamnei
Am venit
Prin ast ruin
S caut un fir de gru
Pentru un poem de dragoste
i am gsit vrbiile poeziei
Sugnd snge din snul copacilor
O porumbi i ia zborul din sufletul meu obosit
Plutind peste acoperiurile drmate
Lovit de sgeata anarhiei
Flfie spre Sacrele nceputuri
Rostogolindu-se, sngernd de moarte
Trecem din ran n ran
Fugim din masacru n masacru
Cnd suntem aproape s stingem un foc
Un alt foc pornete s ard
Noi purtm soarele
Atunci de ce ne nvluie ziduri de ntuneric
i coloane de fum?
159
O, Beirut, iart-m,
i nu m blama!
Dac divorez de porumbia mea alb,
Mcelresc toate vrbiile poeziei,
i nu mai cred n nimic
O, Beirut,
Durerea mea e durerea lui Crist
pe ngrozitoarea-I cruce!
Continuu s caut
o cale ce m-ar conduce la calif
dar fr de folos!
n timp ce diavolii i bat joc de mine
Spunnd:
E mort i sturat de moarte!
O, Beirut,
Eti o siren,
Iubindu-se cu zeul zi i noapte,
Aruncndu-i brrile de argint n nisip,
Rsfirndu-i pletele deasupra mrii
Rspndindu-i parfumul peste odele poetului.
Atunci de ce-i uzurpm vicios virginitatea
i o udm cu snge i lacrimi?
O, Beirut,
Nimfele mrii sunt crucificate
ntr-un btrn palmier
Cu cranii aurii de psri
Lovite, atrnate de trunchi
Apa neagr curge n pmntul sacru
Focul
Incendiaz poienele profeiei
n timp ce mna vnturilor vandalizeaz
grdina plcerilor
Ah! A vrea ca poezia mea
S aib puterea s scuture frunzele sufletului
i s nvie morii
Cci iat! Ora nfrngerii este ora tcerii!
160
Binecuvntat-i poezia ce soarele slvete!
Binecuvntai sunt trandafirii ce strlucesc n sufletele noastre
mprtiind ntunericul
Ce crete n obrajii zorilor
Udat cu sngele nostru
Picuri de lumin se preling nce tior
Din camera soarelui
Versurile se revars triste
Din sufletul nsngerat
Sub cer
Culorile infernului
Pe rmurile unde crete suferina
Mslinii sunt garnisii cu snge
Trandafirii iubirii sunt aruncai n lacul de foc
Sunetul morii rsun cu putere
Ca un lup atins de nebunie
Snge n cntecul psrilor
n praiele de argint
Pe rmurile celeste
Plngi i jelete, o suflet ndurerat!
Snge i ur
Sunt noile cuvinte din cartea civilizaiilor
Cci iat! Rzboaiele sunt limbajul protilor
Ochii Domnului privesc potopul
Razand de idioenia noastr
Cci iat! Ora nfrngerii este ora tcerii!
Pe cuvntul pe care l-au scris!
Sunt falsificatori
Au fost nscui din otrav
Povetile lor
Miturile lor
Sunt pline de foc i fum!
O, Ierusalim!
Etern e noaptea
Noaptea mieilor
A fost odat
161
Un Zeu Beat care a rpit -o pe frumoasa
Din poian
i a disprut n mare
Astfel, lumea a vzut lumina
Venind din inutul Canaan-ului
Europa, Europa,
Nu te ntrista, nici nu fi necjit
Raiul se ruineaz de lacrimile tale
Iar zeul beat i ngroap ruinea
ncercnd din nou s captureze inutul soarelui
O, pmnt al soarelui!
Fiece suflet va rposa
Dar tu vei rmne mereu Muza
Nu te jelesc
Dar jelesc omul i zeul
Ora nfrngerii este ora tcerii!
Ruri de snge vor curge
Pe pmntul nspimntat
Hrnind trandafirii violei
Aa c ls furtuna poeziei s scuture copacul
Spulbernd frunzele rului
Privii, Poezia este pinea sracului
Visele rebelilor
Iar dragostea va nvinge rul i pe Mot
1
!
O, Ierusalim!
Etern este noaptea
Noaptea mieilor
Fiii diavolului pe aripile morii
Provoac migdalii i mslinii
mbtai de veninul erpilor umani
Sorb otrvuri din craniile copiilor,
Privesc sngele cu atta bucurie
i danseaz pe fluierul unui spiridu
Asurzind urechile cerului
Umplnd eterul cu strigte i ipete
1
Mt: zeu fenician al secetei, dar i morii, nefertilitii, stpnul lumii de sub pmnt n. M.C.
162
n cer
Zeia iubirii strig:
Sunt moart
i frumoasa a czut
n pntecul unei balene diabolice
O, Ierusalim!
Nu te ntrista, nici nu fi suprat!
Etern este noaptea
Noaptea mieilor!
Fiece copac spune o poveste
O poveste cu eroi care au murit ca martiri
O, Ierusalim
Aici
nc de la nceputul creaiei
ngerii Domnului s-au mbiat
Sub soarele tu
n roua cerurilor
i n mireasma pmntului tu
O, Ierusalim
Aici
S-a nscut Cristos
Pe aici a pit i a visat
Aici
A fost crucificat
Etern este noaptea
Noaptea mieilor!
Cnt, o, Fairouz!
Cntecele sunt noua proorocire
Aa c las ca lumea s aud cntecele tale
i s tearg lacrimile
Din ochii asupriilor
Aud clopotul sunnd
Chemndu-l pe Cristos s vin!
163
E uor s porneti un rzboi, dar dificil s faci pace
Munir Mezyed
164
102.
Ce vulcan d ghe ii strlucirea cristalului?
Leila Nasimi (Maroc)
Sunt n exil nluntrul cuvntului
Continuu s arunc priviri furie prin vizuina scrisorii
Crpesc ideea rnit
i-mi cos gura cu mpunsturile fricii
M tem de furia versului
Cnd seminele-i cad n netire
Dintr-un sac uitat n spatele ruinelor amintirilor
naintez spre primvara ntrebrii
Fac un tur n jurul Casei Primordiale a certitudinii mele
i-mi mbriez suferina
Dup asta nu tiu
Ce cascad i revars apele peste minenebunie,
Ce vulcan d gheii strlucirea cristalului?
165
103.
Ceremonial
Rehab Hussein el- Saegh (Irak)
1.
Tu i dragostea suntei filosofia mea
Astfel, alii nu vor nelege.
2.
n marea ta m-am rtcit
Valul m-a mnat
Ctre regatul chipului tu
Astfel, m-am necat
3.
Cu tine, ar fi minunat s hoinresc oriunde
Port suferina poeilor
i somnul pe genele tale
4.
Un nor s-a stins de sete
Cnd mirajul l-a ispitit
Cu plecarea
5.
Dragostea e-un mit care m-mbat
Dac-l vnez, va fugi
Iar dac-l las s plece, m ispitete.
6.
se zvrcolete
se zvrcolete
pn ce fiece fir care cu sine-l unete
se rupe
7.
Am cunoscut iubirea cutnd-o
i nu am fost contient de asta dect n
Singurtatea mea.
166
104.
Psalmii vie ii i ai mor ii
Nael Jaraba (Iordania)
1.
Trupul te mpovreaz
Te istovete
Pentru c fcut e din lut
Ca s susii dorina de emancipare a sufletului nseamn c
Trebuie pregtit s fii la drum s porneti
Desigur, anormalul te va ucide
i pcatul te va boteza
Astfel vei arde
2.
Nu nchide ua,
Pentru c n spatele fiecrei ui este adevrul
i ferestrele sunt renvierea drumului
3.
Potopul e inutul Universului sterp
Negutorul de suflete
i Dumnezeu este un nomad singuratic
Care a abandonat viaa
i apoi s-a odihnit.
4.
Dumnezeu,
Pe culmea pcatelor noastre,
Pe strzile oraelor
n ntunericul sufletului,
Este pierdut!
5.
Din noroiul morii
M voi despica n dou buci de lut
i din Spirit
Voi intra n existen
Voi fi puful renviat de pe chipul femeilor
167
Cnd ele ating rsuflarea vntului
Tremur.
Ele m amintesc
Ca o poft din dou pri ce nu vor sfri niciodat
Aa c voi declara:
Am nimicit potopul
i-am implantat munii
i regret c recreatu-te-am a doua oar.
6.
Discipolii au plecat
Aiurea;
Au rs
Pe crucea mea cea njunghiat cu poeme
7.
Boteaz-m
Ca s m pot, astfel, emancipa
Boteaz-m
Cci sufletul e un fluture plutind deasupra pcatu lui
Cnd atinge ntrtatul tu sn
Ia foc
8.
mpovrat e trupul
i sufletul plmuit de vnturi e
O mulime de cuie
l trag nspre mine
Chiar cnd s zboare gata-i
9.
Clanu-i legnarea nebunului
Ucis de vnt
Cnd universu-n juru-i
Lein
Clanul moare
n fiorii oraului
Clanul moare
n timp ce protii continu
S se prosterneze
la cer
168
10.
Arznd precum brganul Universului n ziua nsmnrii;
Ucide dac o smn se desprinde din ncierarea clanului
Din pcatele strmoilor care au hlduit cu fr ic de vinul vieii
Pcatul care se citete pe faa lui Baal
i ascunde feminitatea de toi privitorii
O, via
Nu-i trimite oaptele pmntului
Cci nisipul este beia pcatelor
i sufletul claustrat e ntre nisipuri i noroi
tiu asta
ncearc s se trezeasc
Din suferina rtcirilor
11.
Ridic-te
Fii gata
Oraul
Este cltoria disperailor beivi
Ultimii supravieuitori ai potopului
Purtnd tristeile deerturilor
12.
El este chipul drumului
Chipul cltorului
Pe cnd n ntuneric cltoream
Universul este o femeie rtcitoare
Maestr n
Arta iubirii pentru trectori
Arta lucrurilor
Maestr n a da sufletului nsetat
Un strop de ap
13.
Pe strzile care s-au topit n timpul ploii
i vd ca pe doi iubii
Ea i scotocete prin buzunarul hainei dup un petic de batist
El i scotocete buzunarul vechiului palton
Dup un loc unde ar putea s se ntlneasc
169
14.
Printre vechile pcate ale bunicii
Am vzut poemul
Am vzut;
mi rsdeam
visele
i visele pstorilor
Am vzut;
Vnam oamenii
i necazurile vieii
Am vzut;
Eram pe crucea mea
i Anat
1
m-ar nimici
15.
Nu ucidei pctoii
Ci dai-le pinea vieii
i ngduii-mi s citesc cartea pcatului
Precis ea este poemul
16.
Ce m nelinitete e-ntunecimea luminii care vine spre mine
Arzndu-m cnd sunt prins ntre nisip i noroi
Pe munii de ntuneric
Nimeni nu mai e acolo afar de mine
i stoluri de porumbei
17.
Oraele m arunc
n poemul
Poemul acela scris de o mie de ani
M remodeleaz
Fr rost
ncercnd s fac din mine un Crist!
Lutul m fascineaz
Cu focul dorinelor
Pe un rm care-i cuprins de vijelia sngelui ce ucide visele psrilor
n van ncerc s m tnguiesc
O, Anat,
Pune pinea pe Pmnt
1
Anat(h) zei fenicioano-canaanran, sora, apoi soia lui Baal. Numele ei s -ar traduce prevedere, precauie
170
Fertilizeaz solul
i adu ofranda pcii
Astfel nct s-l poi trezi pe el nluntrul meu
Apoi odihni-m-voi
18.
Buddha m rencarneaz:
Durerea, chipul salvrii,
Dorina i remediul sufletului
Cltorind cu bastonul meu pe spatele meu
Nimic nu exist afar de necazul pustietilor,
Un poem i povetile pctoilor mei strmoi
Cltorind ca Dansatorul Soarelui,
Cnd m atinge,
Ard!
Noroiul se topete n carnea mea
Desfac n lumina lui o smn de zeu
astfel vagabonzii m venereaz!
19.
Poemul
Ivit din durerea sufletului
Un phoenix
Ridicndu-m la fel de sus ct pn la cer
20.
Am aprut doar
Ca s distrug divinitatea vrjitorilor impostori
S conduc revolta din Vechiul Testament
S-mi arunc lucrurile
Astfel nct toate poemele de iubire se vor npusti
Devornd tot ceea ce ele cu falsitate clameaz
171
105.
Henna
1
Veniciei
Ghalia Ghouja (Siria)
Simbolurile danseaz,
Nici copacii s-i nchipuie forma vntului nu pot
Nici valurile nu pot
Mai mare dect visele rului n dou ceruri
Strbai imposibilul
De parc tu ai fi poemul i poetul
i totui eti
O ntrebare pentru muzic
Norii alearg
Ctre tine
Aceste halucinaii ale albului,
Cea mai enigmatic
Sunt henna cuvintelor
i cea mai dens lumin
Dac pdurile spectrele nu i -ar ti
s-ar apropia fluturii de foc?!
Sau
mai slluiete timpul pe insula eternitii?
Ele merg spre cimitire cum o fac clipele
i tu eti singur
Albastrul nesfrit
Unde se rotesc spiritele
i muntele
Astfel Cosmosul pare mai mocnit
De cnd recii cu mine netiutul?
Poemul nu-i de-ajuns pentru acela
Pentru care scenele lui devin prea strmte
Astfel ce scrie venicia ctre vremuri?
i ce optete liliacul purpuriu!?
1
Henna/ Hina (Lawsonia inermis, sau Lawsonia alba): plant cu flori, specia Lawsonia, familia Lythraceae,
ntlnit n regiuni tropicale/ subtropicale din Africa, Asia, i n zone semiaride; folosit la prepararea unor
produse cosmetice pentru pr, corp, diverse vopsele cosmetice probabil nc din e poca bronzului. Produsele (i
planta) sunt cunoscute sub diverse denumiri n India, Pakistan, Iran, Yemen, Maroc, Sudan .a.
172
106.
Toate astea i mai mult de-att
Ziad el-Saudi (Iordania)
Seara era ncrcat i trist.
Noaptea era nomad,
Seducnd trotuarele.
Luminile strzii persistau n a -i arta strlucirea
De parc ar fi fost o vduv,
sfrindu-i nopile de doliu,
Pasionat.
Aprea ca un adolescent,
Pregtindu-se de culcare,
Pregtind un pat s mbrieze un trup arznd
ncrcat cu noapte, veghe i august.
La miezul nopii
Lucrurile i-au gsit semi-dulcele din lume,
i inimile cscau spre departele
Ce le d o stranie cldur
S zboare ca fluturii ce flirteaz.
O abordare infinit
A sfritului.
Ceea ce el dorea mereu,
De parc ar fi stpnul fr regat,
Nor fr o ploaie,
Un ru revoltndu-se mpotriva tuturor mrilor
Ai crui peti se prefac n
Pietrele Destinului
i sirenele se deshidrateaz nluntru -i.
Astfel rul lunii se reflect
Pe cerul foamei dinluntrul su...
Camera lui secret
Pe una din alei,
Patul suferinei lui eterne
De parc ar fi un btrn chinuit de astm.
n mintea plin cu anxieti
i n dulapul lui plin cu amintiri
Impregnat cu otrvuri,
Ziad plin e cu toate astea i mai mult de -att.
173
107.
Valuri
Amer el-Debk (Siria)
O, valule,
Ce anume te face s alergi aa
nct s i ii cmaa ei albastr ?
O, valule,
ntoarce-te n marea ta, satisfcut mulumindu -l astfel i pe el.
Iat! Acela care i atinge tricoul
Se va neca,
Chiar i mrile.
Dac vor s se scufunde-n ea
s vin cu o barc
O, valule,
Cum ndrzneti
S-i atingi pletele
Cci vntul se mprtie la uile pletelor ei
O, valule,
Spune nebunei mri
S-i fie ruine
i s lase crearea de valuri o vreme,
i s se roage prului negru!
O, valule,
Cine-i acela care te smulge
din adnc,
i care-i mpuie capul cu ideile astea trsnite
s fii zvrlit
n globii oculari
O, srmanule,
Marea te trimite s te sinucizi
Ca ea s poate s se refugieze din calea pasiunii.
174
O, valule,
Nu te luda
Cu destoinicia ta deasupra apei
De vreme ce-ai n spate marea
Care neac pe-oricine valul i-ar atinge
lovind stncile rmului
Oricnd dorete!
Nu te luda!
Marea, imensa,
Furioasa,
Nvalnica,
La vederea ei,
El i-mprtie i-arunc valurile napoi,
i roag
Ca valul s-i deschid ei ochii
n fiece sear, spre imensitatea lui
El i promite ei
S arunce toi bulgrii de sare
Cei care atrn deasupra lui
Ca s fie dulce
Cnd o atinge pe ea,
Lumina l mbrac la atingerea palmei ei.
O, valule,
ine-i degetele departe
De trupul ei
Cci degetele tale
Au al vntului gust,
Iar trupul ei
Are forma unui nor!
O, valule,
E mai bine pentru tine
S te odihneti n nisip
Ca, astfel, marea s te poat trage
Din poziia ta rigid
E mai bine s te opreti
O vreme,
Revrsnd asupra ei mprocrile geloziei tale.
175
O, valule,
Ferete-te de chemarea ei;
Marea-i va bate joc
Cnd te vei topi
Pe vrful degetelor lui.
Cum marea e timid,
i la,
El e prea slab s accepte
nfrngerea.
Cum farmecul ei e dezvluit,
El o vede.
El mugete
Pn ce apa se nlbete
i plnge cnd ea-l mpinge
Cu piciorul.
Cum el merge prea departe
Ea l plmuiete.
Atunci
El o ia-nainte
Ruinat,
i la.
Marea
Tot trist e,
Vlurind ntre rmuri
Fiorul l cuprinde
Cnd o vede
Aruncnd
Petii tentaiei lui
nvluit n norul chemrii ei
De-attea ori,
Din cauza uimirii
El rmne tcut ca i cum ar fi ngheat
Cnd o vede pe ea
Lundu-i norul napoi,
Ivindu-se,
i veghind ca un nger de lumin
Pe deasupra apelor!
176
108.
El merge ntre dou ruri
Ahmad Fadl Shablool (Egipt)
Acolo
n ograda spiritului
Au aterizat psrile primverii
Violeta cnt
Spic n furtun
Din nectarul rsritului -am hrnit-o
i am plecat recitndu-mi poemul
Pe care l-am spus tuturor
mai puin celor dragi mie
Apoi sorii dimineii au sosit
nconjurnd literele
Druind cldur inimii biatului
Acolo
L-am vzut pe tata
Plimbndu-se ntre dou ruri
Cntece peste tot n jurul lui
Ziua se ruga
L-am vzut pe tatl meu
Dar el nu m-a vzut alergnd ctre el
Psrile ndoielii
edeau acolo ntre mine i minile lui
Iluziile deertului
L-am strigat
Dar el mergea ctre ru
Nu mi-a rspuns nicicnd la strigtul rnit
177
Am stat pe marginea visului
i ntre marginile drumului
i adncimea ntrebrii
Hoinreau privirile
Veneau la mine cu dubii
S-a pierdut pmntul sub pai?
S-a rtcit valul etern?
Mi-am vzut tatl
Mergnd pe cmpurile mustind de lacrimi
ntre ntoarceri, vnturi i ntrebri
l-am hrnit din nectarul rsritului
l-am adpat din rul inimilor
aceea era adparea
Te-au suprat vnturile reunite?
Suprarea i-a adus vreun duman?
L-am vzut pe tatl meu
Nu dormea
inea florile armoniei
L-am strigat
Dar el se ndrepta ctre
rul lui
Cntecele pavau calea cerurilor
Am spus
Voi merge la rmul meu
Poate c mrile
mi vor aduce oaptele
Chemrii tatlui meu
178
109.
Paaport
Ahmad Fadl Shablool (Egipt)
mi plac strzile tale
mi plac cafenelele tale care ofer mese marinarilor
Am stat pe piscul acelor stnci
Beat de la umezeala magiei scoicilor
M-am plimbat nluntrul acelor luni care scutur nectarul anotimpurilor
st ianuarie lundu-mi exilul ngheat
Pe sub hainele mele
st aprilie dndu-le buzelor mele primvara ntlnit
Acela e august
Ia singurtatea din inima mea
Tiranul acela de noiembrie mi strig tinereea
Danseaz pe braele mele
Sptmni de margarete
i iasomie
La fiecare u
Strig valurile dorului
Iubesc acele strzi traversndu-mi visele
Alergnd de-a lungul supusului rm
Unde nisipul nghea
i dorinele ard
Strzile tale azi se ivesc din durerea noastr
Mergi, i mergi, ca potopul
Ucide ntunericul din noi
Crri ctre nceputuri
179
Aici n ochii mei
Un drum i afl sfritul
Un drum curge adnc cu perle i cntece de -o parte i de alta
O, mare
D-i visele acelui vers
Eu cldur am din gheaa ta
Din rmul tu am viziunea
Am trandafirul din adncul tu
i din stncile tale, ale acelui coral verdele
i din sarea ta mncarea
Am ce ai tu
Fii copil pe aste strzi
Cntnd pentru viaa asta
Fii un tat pentru aceti orfani
i o cale pentru rtcii
i un embrion pentru cel steril
Fii un ora pentru mine
cruia s-i pot strbate strzile
ale crui cafenele le iubesc
i unde pot mbria bravele-i forturi
i m pot plimba nluntrul acelor luni
Fr paaport.
180
110.
Trei triunghiuri
Yousif Shahada (Palestina)
Trei triunghiuri
Dac luna ar ti
C tu eti steaua amurgului
N-ar mai aprea
Dac ploaia ar ti
C tu eti dansul norului
Nu s-ar mai revrsa.
Dac ar ti oamenii
C tu eti lacrima mirajului
Ar inventa ploaia.
O femeie de sticl
n oglinda lumii
- acest nadir necunoscut -
am zrit o femeie,
ieind din tcerea sticlei sparte,
respirnd greu ca exhalarea pletelor ei.
Fumul unui tren erpuiete tcut
Ai lefuit din ea buci de sticl!
Tu, nechezatul sngelui ei inut n fru!
Ah, ct de vie este asta n inima mea!
Ah, ct de moart este ast a n oglind!
Imagine triunghiular ntr-un zar
Fotografia ta palid
Ajunge n mijlocul petalelor
Pe tabla de zaruri
Rivalul tu a nceput s-i ghiceasc norocul,
Dar te-ai ridicat i ai prsit cafeneaua
Fr rmas bun.
181
111.
Tu
Majida Abdel Nabi (Egipt)
mi desenez durerea pe harta vieii mele,
Pentru tine, deprtrile m poart ctre tine.
Oh, copacul sub mi-aez capul,
Ori de cte ori mi obosesc picioarele,
De cte ori drumul se deprteaz.
Rugile mele sunt pentru tine, o, tu cea care prea departe cltoreti.
Oh, tu care cltoreti nluntrul meu n cioburile vrstei mele.
O, visul meu, care alergi naintea mea i eu te urmez
Tu eti spnzurtoarea care m atrage,
De parc eu a fi cel ce ateapt ghilotinarea!
Tu rmi durerea mea
Durerea pe care o iubesc!
182
112.
coala iubirii
1
Nizar Qabbani (Siria)
Iubirea ta m-a nvat cum s sufr
cutam, de secole,
o femeie care s m fac s sufr
i n braele creia s strig
ca o vrabie
o femeie care s m adune
ca pe bucile de cristal frmat
Dragostea ta m-a nvat, doamna mea, cele mai rele obiceiuri.
m-a nvat s ghicesc n cafea
de o mie de ori pe noapte
s experimentez leacurile naturitilor
i s bat la uile ghicitoarelor.
M-a nvat s-mi prsesc casa
s bat trotuarele,
i s-i vnez chipul n picturile de ploaie,
n lumina farurilor
sub hainele necunoscuilor
chiar s fug dup fantoma ta
n posterele publicitare
i s adun milioane de stele din ochii ti
Iubirea ta m-a nvat
s rtcesc, cu orele,
cutnd prul unei ignci
invidiate de toate igncile
cutnd un chip, o voce
care s fie toate chipurile, toate vocile
1
Tradus n englez i cu alte titluri, de exemplu: Epopeea/ povestea tristeii/ The Epic of Sadness (D. Hadid).
183
Iubirea ta m-a fcut s ptrund, doamna mea,
n oraul tristeii
iar eu nainte de tine nu mai intrasem niciodat
n oraele tristeii
Nu am tiut niciodat
c lacrimile definesc o persoan
iar o persoan fr aceast tristee
e numai umbra unei persoane
Iubirea ta m-a nvat
s m port ca un adolescent
s-i desenez cu cret chipul
pe perei,
pe pnzele brcilor pescarilor,
pe clopotele din biseric, pe crucifixuri
Iubirea ta m-a nvat cum ar putea
dragostea schimba harta timpului
Iubirea ta m-a nvat c atunci cnd m ndrgostesc
pmntul se oprete din micare
iubirea ta m-a nvat lucruri
care nu mi s-au mai relevat niciodat
Astfel, am citit poveti pentru copii
Am intrat n castelele regilor
i am visat c m-am nsurat cu fata sultanului
ochii aceia erau mai limpezi
dect apa lagunei
buzele acelea
mai atrgtoare dect florile rodiilor
i am visat c am rpit-o ca un cavaler
i am visat c i-am dat
ghirlande de perle i buci de coral
iubirea ta m-a nvat, doamna mea,
ce-ar putea nsemna halucinaiile
m-a nvat cum mi-ar putea trece viaa
de nu ar sosi fiica sultanului
184
Dragostea ta m-a nvat
Cum s te iubesc n toate lucrurile
n copacii desfrunzii, n uscatele frunze galbene
ntr-o zi ploioas, n furtun
n cea mai mic cafenea n care servim seara
cafeaua noastr neagr
Iubirea ta m-a nvat s caut refugiu
s caut refugiu n hotelur i fr de nume
n biserici fr nume
n cafenele anonime
iubirea ta m-a nvat cum noaptea
poate amplifica suprarea strinilor
m-a nvat cum s vd Beirutul
ca pe o femeie, un tiran al tentaiei
o femeie care poart n fiece noapte
cele mai frumoase haine pe care le are
i stropete snii cu parfum
pentru pescari, i prini
Iubirea ta m-a nvat s strig fr justificare
m-a nvat cum doarme suferina
ca un biat, cu picioarele retezate,
pe strzile Rouch i Hamra
1
278
178.
Accesele singurt ii
Mohammed el-Fakhari (Maroc)
Emigrant,
M plimb ntre zidurile siestei;
Amintirile tale m poart
ori de cte ori m-nvluie noaptea
Emigrant,
ed pe ruinele carismei
i astfel suferina m copleete
De parc ar fi pentru prima dat.
Venii mai aproape,
O, accese ale singurtii,
Cci storc
Primele semine di n trupurile voastre!
nelegndu-mi soarta,
i vnez suferina,
Dulcea mea prines,
peste tot,
Peste tot!
Fiindc-mi stteai n cale
Rtcesc n ochii ti.
Astfel c nu pot rezista,
i i inscripionez numele
Pe fiecare limb!
279
Ateptai o clip,
O, accese ale singurtii,
Cci nc mai vrs
Cteva din cupele voastre!
Nemulumit,
Prsesc fntnile nevolniciei
Setea mea de singurtate
M stinge
Pasionat,
ca o pern, o iau pe calea extazului
i dorm ca un copil,
Visnd la libertate
Deprtai-v un pic,
O, accese ale singurtii,
Am sorbit ultima voastr pictur!
280
179.
ntlniri
Lubna el-Manwzi (Maroc)
Pianul mprtie
ntlnirile aranjate de un nor
n cetile de cafea.
ntlnirile care ne poart
Spre locurile luminii
Exact n spatele capului
Unde legnarea e-un cuvnt
Care ne scuip afar,
Ce mai rmne din ea i din noi
Nume rostite de fantome
Dincolo de timp!
281
180.
Nunta martirului
Mohammed Amari (Maroc)
Din inima Javei,
s-a nscut
O poveste despre o femeie
Care adora stncile,
nfrumusendu-le
cu Inabilitatea Clanurilor Arabe.
Opresiunea clanurilor din vest
Prezentndu-le
Copilului neruinrii
Copilului martirajului
Norul lui un liliac navignd pn la capt
El poart un rnjet
Pentru pasul peste granie
clrind
nechezatul nopii
Desennd
Nunta martirului
Estompndu-se
Pulsnd
ntre morminte
282
181.
Jurnalul unui rege uitat
Ahmed Abu Ridan (Iordania)
Eu i tovarul meu, n caravan,
Bucat cu bucat
Punnd proviziile lng foc
Pregtind cina pentru tovarii mei de butur abia trezii
i cum pmntul ne rotete-n noapte
ncerc s-mi rectig regatul pierdut
Asta s-ar putea s devoreze toate mirajele din capul meu
Doar atunci urletele lupilor ar avea sens
Poate dac a reveni l a realitate
Acest spaiu se va strmta
i un foc ndeprtat, dei mic, m va cuprinde cu flcrile lui,
Eu, cum am stat naintea-i att de mult,
M ncredinez tovarului meu de preocupri
Cci Pleiadele pulseaz moiala lor spre captul nopii
Ca un poem inima se desface vers cu vers,
De vreme ce numai sngele meu a rmas!
S vrs, s evit toate cltoriile mele i moartea
Le-am dezvluit lor pasiunea rzbunrii mele,
Astfel, companionii mei moie foarte mulumii.
Trosnetul focului izbucnete n pieptu l meu
crpnd un vis disecat ntre
copilrie, poezie
femei frumoase.
Amintirile se revolt mpotriva livrelei mele
n timp ce o moial m poart
prin cele mai ncnttoare clipe ale vieii mele
Ctre ce s-a petrecut n anii arizi.
Port tristeea poemului,
Urcnd ntinsa-i umbr,
283
Deschiznd o fereastr spart de vnturile toamnei
O posibil rut
Acolo mi-am eliberat potopul sentimentelor.
Mormi, agitat ca un nor subire
Unde sufl vntul
Fii ateni la ce va s vin
Clrind pe un cal de nisip i lumin .
Aadar, sunt cuprins cu totul de -o minunat pasiune.
O, Adun-i pcatele unul dup altul!
Nu-i pas c n-ai tiut
Cum am cltorit din greu de la nord la sud,
Fr s gsesc altceva dect suferin
Aidoma suferinei lui Iacob,
Cnd ei l-au aruncat pe Iosif n pu s moar.
Tovarii mei plng.
Acum cmilele sunt gata de plecare
Pe cile nisipoase,
Respectnd ritualul exilului meu
Prsindu-i pe toi.
Promit c m voi rzbuna singur
Pentru sngele tatlui meu.
Dei el m-a oprit
de la recitarea poemelor,
i m-a alungat din trib
Detronndu-m.
Dar cnd sbiile l-au luat drept un strin
Am fost botezat n snge i vin,
n vzul zeilor care m-au detestat.
Voi scobi toi ochii
Gravnd chipul lui pe toate coastele!
Pn atunci cine e cel care va scoate sa bia din teaca ei
i va umple rana cu sare pn se va vindeca?
**
n trecut eram nsetat
Pribegeam, n-aveam cas
Hrana mea erau Poemul,
Cmila mea, i durduliile virgine acoperite n mtase de Damasc
Suferina sracului.
Am mintea ntreag
De vreme ce am fost un copil curios
A putea fi ucis!
284
182.
Cu mine o dorin de via
Latifa Qari (Arabia Saudit)
Vino i las-ne s trezim inima la via
nluntrul nostru e-un dor
i nluntrul-ne nebunia
i nluntrul-ne e o nfrngere
i nluntrul-ne e o poft
Vino i las-ne s trezim tcerea iernii
Trist i deprimat n nectarul dimineii
Stins este chipul acestei diminei
Nicicnd nu i-a trecut prin minte s vin
Lng foc ori lng flcrile lui
De la chemarea crengilor care-s mature-acum
Pn la evanescen
Pn la cdere
i nluntrul meu e-o dorin s sorb vorba
Aadar, spune
i apoi mai spune
Rul a devenit tcere n trupul meu
Pn la lumina zilei care e nfrumuseat cu iasomie
i curge ctre nsetatele vene
i ctre hrtii
tie c primvara e scurt
i dup primvar ct e ziua de lung ---
o imensitate pentru a hoinri mprejur
pe o colin a poftei, printre multe
O, draga mea,
Am, cum are i dimineaa asta,
Anotimpuri ale iubirii
Pentru aceast nelinite
nluntrul meu o dorin strig s mbrieze
nluntrul meu o fervoare m mn s ating orizontul
Dar sunt printre toi sracii
Visez singur
Respir greu singur
Cu totul singur, suferind de insomnia venelor
Abia apoi gloriosului apus de soare vine
i dincolo de insomnie
Rmne focul aurorei.
285
183.
Fereastra vntului
Nouara Lahrash (Algeria)
Viaa e un festival al suferinei
Al vntului
ncnttoarele frunze cad
Din vocea mea rnit
Din copacii vremurilor furtunoase
Care vor cnta muzic ntr -o devastare zgomotoas
Chiar dac erau firimituri ale ncnttoarelor melodii
Ca inima s poat ajunge ca imenii trandafiri
i vrbiile dimineii absente s poate rsri
Cine va cnta
Nimeni nu cnt
Nici strunele, afar de strunele vntului
n oglinda frunii mele
Spinii toamnei nfloresc
Copacii vremurilor furtunoase m umbresc
O, vrabie a dimineii absente,
Fructele sngerrii se coc n inima mea
Nici o strun, afar doar de strunele vntului
286
184.
Poem de dragoste pentru Palestina
Munir Mezyed (Romnia)
Eram nvelii n vise divine,
Smulgnd floarea creaiei,
Sorbindu-i deliciosul nectar,
nchinnd toastul iubirii,
Simind acea clipa a nevzutei atingeri,
Trind n poveti,
Cntnd i dansnd ziua-ntreag,
Am fost trezii de vocea nebuniei,
Haosul vremurilor rele
i ruinele acestui veac
Copacii stau singuri singurei,
Goi, tnguitori,
Scncind de sete i dorin,
Iar punea e plictisit de absurditatea oamenilor
Pe cer stelele nc mai licresc.
Nu tiu nimic
Despre omul care le-a uitat!
O, iubirea mea,
Sufletul meu plnge
Inima mi-e grea i rece
n timp ce disperarea te trte ctre marginea destinului
Voi nimici moartea,
Ucide aceast nebunie
Ascuns n petera amrciunilor,
i voi arde ast soart,
Ducndu-te de pe insula iadului
ntr-un loc n care nu ne poate vedea nimen i, doar Domnul
Nu m voi preda acestui destin
Nici nu-l voi declara un nfrnt
Cci iat! Tu eti primvara i iarna acelui iad,
Singura lumina adormit pe catifeaua mrii...
287
O, iubirea mea,
Tu eti durerea i bucuria mea,
Noaptea cnd i presar tainele ei,
Ziua cnd soarele ese jerbele cerurilor,
Luciditatea i nebunia,
Tu eti vinul, cupa i poezia mea
Iubirea ta mi-a implantat
Chiciura bucuriei i durerii,
M-a nvat s desenez chipul Domnului,
i m-a transformat ntr-un copil nesbuit
O, dragostea mea,
Undeva acolo vrbiile nc mai cnt,
Pe rmurelele buzelor
Strigndu-i numele
Parfumul tu nc rzbate n eterul spiritului,
mbtnd cerul poeziei i al viselor
Amintirile sunt stoluri de rndunele, cuibrindu -se pe pleoape
Florile spiritului se vestejesc,
i ploaie trist curge n inima mea,
Cci imaginile fricii m bntuie,
Invadeaz,
Facndu-i sla n mintea mea,
Imprimnd
Imaginea unei btrne care sap,
Cutnd
Mormintele nostalgiei
Pentru tinereea ei pierdut
mbrieaz-m!
ntinde-te pe zidurile ateptrii,
Visele, frmate,
mi coloreaz viziunea
Cu ale durerii culori
Singurtatea m mistuie
ntunericul mi invadeaz fantezia
288
mbrieaz-m..:!
Scoate ghimpii amrciunii
Din pieptul meu
Smulge soarele din ochii ti
Cluzete-m s vd lumina
S adun diaspora expatriailor mei
S o presar pe ochii ti
apoi las-m s dorm n palma visului
cci nu mi-a mai rmas nimic, dect cldura lui
i aceast aplecare spre mit.
289
Dragostea e binecuvntare, ura e blestem
Munir Mezyed
290
185.
Palestina i Visul
Munir Mezyed (Romnia)
O clip de-o crud nebunie
Neanunat
A erupt o furie sadic
Lmpile iubirii s-au stins
Inima a devenit vid
i s-a strns
O, ara mea
Frmntat cu snge i foc
Ce alt trud ne ateapt
Ce durere
Exist i mai mult amrciune dup asta?
Moartea se mpreun cu gndirea noastr superficial
Zilnic dm natere la
O mie de noi tragedii
Tinereea viselor a mbtrnit nainte de vreme
Zorii ascund nluntru un arpe ptat
Rutatea amar devine cauza noastr
O, ara mea
Ce pasre i va gsi un cuib
Ce fluture i va gsi o floare
291
Zilele astea locuite-s de haos
Luptndu-se-n faa ochilor ti
O, ara mea,
Sunt vocea ta
Vocea torturailor i abuzailor
Cugetnd la lacrimile orfanilor i vduviilor
Inimile flmnzilor i sracilor
Arat ci lai i trdtori
Au strigat sloganul libertii tale
Au pus la cale luptele ntre frai
i la adpostul ntunericului
Au scpat i s-au ascuns
M ntreb dac Karbala
1
s-a ntors
i visele noastre s-au transformat ntr-un miraj
O, ara mea,
Am pierdut totul
i nu am fost n stare
S pierd amintirea
i s m opresc din cntec i vis
Cntecul e totul
Are un spirit nemuritor i o arip
Fiece noapte doarme-n leagnul tu
O, ara mea
Totul are un sfrit
Realitatea dispare
Dar visul ntoarcerii dinuie venic
Cltorete printre stele
ese iele libertii
Hoinrete ca un halo luminos
n ntuneric, orict de adnc este
Le vorbete fiilor printre stelele cerului
Despre o ar
Care nc ateapt ntoarcerea psrilor la cuiburile lor!
1
Loc (lng oraul irakian Kufa) important pentru iii aici a avut loc (pe 10 Muharram, 61 d. Hegira, 680 an
cretin) o btlie cu important n ce privete separarea n ii i i sunnii. iiii care comemoreaz martiriul lui
Husain (Husayn), unul dintre fiii lui Ali, merg n pelerinaj la Kerbela/ Karbala
292
Iubirea nate iubire i alung rul
Munir Mezyed
293
186.
Cltorie n nevzut
Munir Mezyed (Romnia)
Dedic acest poem marilor poei: El -Maari, Dante, Milton, Pukin,
Baudelaire, Rimbaud, Eminescu, Tagore care l-au fcut pe orb s vad, pe surd
s aud, pe mut s vorbeasc, deschiznd poarta grdinii poeziei de unde noi
culegem trandafirii eternitii.
Sper c acest poem va fi o binecuvntare pentru aceia care propovduiesc
dragostea i pacea, un blestem pentru aceia care bat tobele rzboiului.
Pasionat de lumea nevzut
M aflu n contemplaie.
Cznd la intrare,
Sufletul meu e n extaz deplin,
Cnd intr pe porile raiului
nfurat n vemnt ceresc
mpodobit cu stele,
Urmat de un cor de ngeri ce cnt
i m poart spre mreul tron
Fascinat,
M prosternez
Sufletul mi-e cuprins de pace
Iar eu aud o voce dinspre coroana solar
Spunnd:
Te binecuvntez.
Asupra ta revrs mila mea,
Preamrindu-te,
Hrzindu-i un loc n ceruri
Aezndu-te printre cei mai iubii mie...!
Dar, nainte de a pi n grdina etern
Pentru a te altura celorlali,
S treci prin toate porile
i s vezi rsplata, pedeapsa
Binecuvntarea i mnia mea!
Astfel mi ncep cltoria
Mergnd
Pe un pod de neguri
Colorat n culorile curcubeului
Aud tnguiri i ipete.
294
Privind n jos,
Vd brbai i femei notnd
ntr-o mare de lav,
nghiind magm
Bnd catran
Traumatizat, rmn nemicat,
Dorind s am aripi
Temndu-m s nu cad,
M rog
Negura crete, vui ete,
M nconjoar
M lupt, dar n zadar
M predau
Prins ntr-un vrtej de nori,
Aflndu-m n cdere liber spre adncuri
M trezesc ntr-o peter mare
Acoperit
nconjurat de un zid de foc i fum.
Sus pe ziduri,
Brbai i femei sunt dezbrcai si btui n cuie.
O iau la fug ngrozit i nfricoat,
Alerg prin labirintul crematoriului
Care m asurzete cu ipetele lui
O femeie n form de puni
mi apare n fa
ncep s-o urmresc, s-o vnez.
Alearg ct poate de repede,
Eu alerg mai iute dect ea
Cnd sunt ct pe ce s-o prind,
Penele se mprtie n jur
Iluminnd
Apucnd penele,
M trezesc pe un vrf de culoarea fildeului
Cu mna plin de pene
Cutnd femeia,
O zresc, precum fulgii de zpad
Disprnd
Privesc n jos
Cerul e un covor rou
ntins peste mare
Soarele i stelele sunt globuri de foc
Ce ard.
Luna e o vatr de praf i cenu
295
mprtiat
Descopr o insul
Oftnd,
Zic: Iubitoarea mea mam !...
Miros parfumul pe care l eman,
i simt briza cum adie,
nchid ochii, trag aer adnc n piept
Sufletul meu scoate un strigt:
sta e Edenul, grdina fgduinei tale.
Inima mi tresalt de bucurie
Deodat vd oameni pe acea insul
Presrndu-i nisip pe cap,
n timp ce corbii dau roat deasupra lor.
Apoi l vd pe Cristos pe ngroz itoarea-I cruce
Sngernd,
Mahomed fugind de la Mecca la Medina
Ca sa-i scape pielea,
Budha cltorind ca un strin,
Flmnd i istovit,
Socrate forat s nghit otrava,
Che Guevara cutat de poliie,
Urmrit i vnat
Lorca tiat n buci
Artiti vnzndu-i tablourile
Pentru o bucat de pine,
Poei recitnd surzilor poeme
Plng i-mi spun:
Trebuie s fie un comar.
i plnsul m apuc din nou.
Bucur-te,
Deschide-i palma,
D drumul penelor!
Pe cnd le dau drumul,
O pasre uria mi apare nainte
M urc n spatele ei
i zburm mpreun
n timp ce aterizm
Pasrea devine femeie.
Totul capt o form vizibil,
Cerul
Marea
Soarele i stelele
Insula este ntr-un desvrit delir
296
Rotund de atta ncntare
Pmntul ei presrat cu rou
Se mpreun de-a pururi
Cu apa.
Cerul o srut, o nvemnt.
Soarele o orbete cu prul lui de aur
Luna o ndeamn s viseze,
S nscoceasc mituri i poveti
Marea, hor rotitoare,
nsufleete stelele i le face s danseze
Sirenele cnt la harfele lor acvatice
Iar privighetoarele cnt i ele.
Culeg un trandafir,
ngenunchez naintea ei, o cer n cstorie
opi de colo-colo,
Strig de bucurie, dansez.
Ne construim o colib n care s locuim,
Un templu n care s ne rugm
Pentru ca Dumnezeu s ne binec uvnteze,
O barc pentru pescuit
Trind n armonie perfect,
Culegnd trandafiri,
Irignd, culegnd recoltele
Noi cntm i dansm
Fr lacrimi, fr team, fr comaruri!...
Diavolul, devenind gelos,
i incit prudent
Pe sconci,
erpi,
Lupi
S bat n tobele urii
Vd un brbat
Cu o siluet de lumin
Fcndu-i bagajele
Gata de plecare.
Dar, nainte de a pleca,
ntunericul ptrunde i l ucide.
Astfel porile lui Hades se deschid,
Diavolul i slugile lui ies afar
Clare pe balauri, narmai,
Flancai de fiare slbatice,
Montri,
Condui de diavoli,
297
Hidr i spiridui,
mproac cu otrav,
Iar focul lor alimentat de ur,
Las n urm ruine peste ruine.
Ei dau foc mrii, cerului
Ucid viaa, ntineaz spiritul,
Rpesc soarele,
Violeaz luna!...
M trezesc n fum i cenu
Strignd:Am pierdut raiul!...
n timp ce chipul diavolului
Cu sconcii, erpii,
Lupii i spiriduii lui
nc m mai bntuie!
Cu toate astea, l rog pe Allah s -mi arate primejdiile iadului
Pe care ei cu toii o s le moteneasc!
298
Tolerana modelul tuturor virtuilor
Munir Mezyed
299
300
Cuprins
Rul poeziei, dincolo de zgomotul literelor - prefa la versiunea n
limba romn Marius Chelaru, Romnia 5
1 O, pmnt natal - Munir Mezyed (Romnia) 15
2 Doar pentru tine - Maha el-Khatib (Irak) 16
3 Ceac de cafea i ispita femeii - Layila Ibrahim (Arabia Saudit) 18
4 O chemare pentru ntoarcere - Hassan Khashab (Maroc) 20
5 Stri de fapt - Salih el-Soisi (Tunisia) 21
6 Scrisoare ctre mama - Suhail el-Isawi (Palestina) 22
7 Cntecul ploii - Badir Shakir el-Sayyab (Irak) 23
8 Ambiie - Abdulsalam Mosbah (Maroc) 27
9 Trei scene din jurnalul unui om mohort - Haneen Omar (Algeria) 28
10 Strada principal - Lamis Saaidi (Algeria) 29
11 M rog la adpostul umbrei mele - Bahija Massri Adelbi (Siria) 30
12 mi pregtesc bagajele de cltorie - Mahmood Suliman (Egipt) 31
13 Mama mea - Ahmad el-Attar (Maroc) 33
14 Precum nisipul - Mahmood el-Braikan (Irak) 34
15 Copila ngropat de vie - Fatima el-Hamzawi (Tunisia) 35
16 Ca i noaptea Mustafa Murad (Palestina) 37
17 Pentru tine - Mustafa Murad (Palestina) 39
18 Adevr ciuntit - Nasir Badwan (Iordania) 40
19 Poznele iubirii - Nasir Badwan (Iordania) 42
20 Principiile poftei - Ahmad el-Khial (Egipt) 43
21 Btrnee Buland el-Haidari (Irak) 44
22 Chiar lng margine - Mazin el-Najjar (Siria) 45
23 Uraganul strnit de o femeie - Kamal Aref (Egipt) 47
24 Ea, zorii i eu - Omar Alwi Nasna (Maroc) 48
25 Doar pentru tine - Aisha Mohammed (Arabia Saudit) 49
26 Licresc ca pdurea de pini - Soad el-Kwuari (Qatar) 51
27 Nu e-n putina noastr - Mohammed el-Laghafi (Maroc) 53
28 Scrisoare de sub ape - Nizar Qabbani (Siria) 54
29 Un an de la Desprire - Suhail Al-Isawi (Palestina) 57
30 mi pierd graiul cnd zmbeti - Ali el-Sari (Libia) 58
301
31 Moarte obinuit - Nidal Hamed (Palestina) 60
32 Un bob de bucurie e de-ajuns - Majida Abdel Nabi (Egipt) 61
33 Jamal Abdul Nasser - Munir Mezyed (Romnia) 62
34 Izbucniri excesive - Ahmad el-Attar (Maroc) 64
35 Cntecul Chinului - Salih Abdel Sabour (Egipt) 65
36 Primul joc - Muhammad el-Salih el-Gharisi (Maroc) 66
37 Fragmente - Sanaa Cheddal (Maroc) 68
38 Visnd Soarele - Aziz el- Gharbawi (Maroc) 69
39 Salma - Abdel Rahman Ghilan (Yemen) 71
40 ntre minile tale - Majida Abdel Nabi (Egipt) 72
41 Masa anotimpurilor - Thora el-Rezouk (Siria) 73
42 Carte de identitate - Mahmoud Darwish (Palestina) 74
43 Ilustra suferin - Faisl Abdul Waheb Haider (Irak) 76
44 Tlcul zilei - Faisl Abdul Waheb Haider (Irak) 77
45 Vduv ntr-o mlatin - Yousif Shahada (Palestina) 78
46 Nu sunt eu - Bilal el-Masri (Liban) 79
47 Tcerea cutremurtoare - Batoul el-Alawi (Moroc) 80
48 Confesiunile ndrgostiilor - Ali el-Muhammad (Siria) 81
49 Fii prietenul meu - Sauad el-Sabah (Kuweit) 82
50 Rug pentru dimineaa Fatimei - Omar Alwi Nasna (Maroc) 83
51 ntrebri nafara orelor - Majid el-Barghouthi (Palestina) 84
52 Diverse chipuri - Lobna Almanusi (Maroc) 85
53 Poetei lui nmiresmeaz-m - Said Kan (Libia) 87
54 Spaii - Mohammed Shadi Keskin (Siria) 88
55 Oglinzile imaginii - Layila Ibrahim (Arabia Saudit) 90
56 Strini - Muhammed el-Muaghout (Siria) 91
57 ntre tine i mine - Ibrahim el-Kahwaji (Maroc) 92
58 O Lun pe trotuarul ntristatului - Rifky Asaf (Iordania) 93
59 Allah - Mustafa Murad (Palestina) 96
60 Eu scriu - Sulaf Abbas (Tunisia) 98
61 Emigrantul - Reem el-Ban (Yemen) 100
62 Scene - Fatima el-Hamzawi (Tunisia) 101
63 Cei doi ochi verzi - Amel Donkol (Egipt) 103
64 Oglinda - Munir Awald el-Jilali (Maroc) 104
65 Poeme nu foarte triste - Izzet el-Tiri (Egipt) 105
66 Abdel Halim Hafez - Munir Mezyed (Romnia) 106
67 ahul - Hassan el-Raey (Siria) 109
68 Ceaca Secretului - Nasir Badwan (Iordania) 110
69 Vers - Hayat Al-Rayis (Tunisia) 111
70 Te iubesc mai mult! - Hassan Hegazy (Egipt) 113
71 Venus - Muhammad el-Manori (Maroc) 115
72 Pe scurt - Ahmad el-Attar (Moroc) 116
73 Rsul tu - Lubna el-Shalabi (Palestina) 117
302
74 Nadeta - Munir Awlad el-Jilali (Maroc) 118
75 Tremurul degetelor - Nawal el-Salih (Maroc) 119
76 Precursorii morii - Faisal Abdul Wahab Haider (Irak) 120
77 Tren la apus de soare - Ahmed Fadl Shablool (Egipt) 121
78 Steaua sfenic - Assma Garib ( Maroc) 122
79 Legi - Bahija Masri Adalbi (Siria) 123
80 Revrsare - Ali Zahrani (Arabi Saudit) 124
81 Cine eti tu! - Hadia el-Abdullah (Liban) 125
82 Cele mai dulci poeme - Muhammad Ali Hani (Tunisia) 126
83 De-ar fi fost biatul o piatr - Ali el-Jallawi (Bahrain) 127
84 Nu voi plnge - Fadwa Tokan (Palestina) 129
85 Sirena tuturor timpurilor - Subhi Niall (Siria) 131
86 Hoii de vise - Youssef el-Harbi (Arabia Saudit) 132
87 Unei brunete - Lutfi Zaghlul (Palestina) 134
88 Sgeile tainelor - Layila Ibrahim (Arabia Saudit) 135
89 Fug de la tine spre tine - Majida Abdel Nabi (Egipt) 136
90 M autoabsorb - Dalia el-Saleh (Siria) 137
91 oapt - Shaghia el-Sewidi (Oman) 138
92 Poeme scurte - Hussein bin Qurayn Alderm Shaky (Libia) 139
93 ndeprtare - Bila Muhammad Fadel (Sudan) 142
94 Poeme scurte - Abdel Hadi el- Shihri (Arabia Saudit) 143
95 Te iubesc ntre dou sgei - Ayob el- Maliji (Maroc) 144
96 Rugciune ctre mare - Hassan Assai el-Sheikh (Siria) 145
97 Femeie Abdul Basit Mohamad Abu Bakr (Libia) 146
98 Prezen stnjenitoare - Fatima el-Hamzawi (Tunisia) 147
99 Munir Mezyed cnt pentru Bagdad - Munir Mezyed (Romnia) 148
100 Gaza arde suntem lihnii - Munir Mezyed (Romnia) 154
101 Epopeea infernului i a Muzei - Munir Mezyed (Romnia) 157
102 Ce vulcan d gheii strlucirea cristalului? - Leila Nasimi (Maroc) 163
103 Ceremonial - Rehab Hussein el- Saegh (Irak) 164
104 Psalmii vieii i ai morii - Nael Jaraba (Iordania) 165
105 Henna Veniciei - Ghalia Ghouja (Siria) 170
106 Toate astea i mai mult de-att - Ziad el-Saudi (Iordania) 171
107 Valuri - Amer el-Debk (Siria) 172
108 El merge ntre dou ruri - Ahmad Fadl Shablool (Egipt) 175
109 Paaport - Ahmad Fadl Shablool (Egipt) 177
110 Trei triunghiuri - Yousif Shahada (Palestina) 179
111 Tu - Majida Abdel Nabi (Egipt) 180
112 coala iubirii - Nizar Qabbani (Siria) 181
113 Ghicitoarea - Nizar Qabbani (Siria) 184
114 Cartea iubirii - Nizar Qabbani (Siria) 186
115 Sakana Al-Lail - Nu'man Thabit Abdul Latif (Irak) 188
116 Bagdad, subiect de deliberare internaional - Hasan Raheem el -Kharsani 189
303
117 Samuraiul - Basim Furat (Irak) 191
118 Eu - Basim Furat (Irak) 192
119 Tatl meu - Basim Furat (Irak) 193
120 Reveria unui poet - Khaloud el-Muttalibi (Irak) 194
121 Obositoarea cltorie - Khaloud el-Muttalibi (Irak) 195
122 Visele unui fluture - Essa Adway (Palestina) 196
123 Poveti din 1001 de Nopi Izz el aDin Katta (Maroc) 198
124 nveliul se va ridica - Nathir el-Tiaar (Algeria) 200
125 Sonata pescruului necunoscut - Abdulwahab el-Muttalibi (Irak) 202
126 Trandafirul furiei - Ahmed el-Remawy (Palestina) 204
127 Cntreul cnt - Nimr Sady (Palestina) 208
128 Veghe palid - Mohammed el-Mansour (Yemen) 209
129 Regele violin - Lotfi Khamees (Palestina) 211
130 Femeie - Nassar el-Hajj (Sudan) 213
131 Cntnd poeilor - Saleh Mahameed (Palestina, Italia) 214
132 Palestina e patria mea - Tayseer el-Nashif (Palestina, SUA) 215
133 Tunisia Sirena mea - Munir Mezyed (Romnia) 216
134 Brutriile de acas - Ahmed el-Remawy (Palestina) 219
135 Bolboroseala necatului - Inshirah Hamdan (Palestina) 220
136 Pecetea pustiului - Jebbar el-Kawaz (Irak) 222
137 Tristee - Majeed el-Mossawy (Irak) 223
138 Tablete - Abdulla Hussain Chellab (Irak) 224
139 Bucuria copacului Subhi Niall (Siria) 226
140 Piese pentru interpretare solo - Alfred Sam'an (Irak) 228
141 Poei - Majid el-Haider (Irak) 230
142 Glonul - Tariq Harby (Irak) 231
143 Harta sufletului - Suhail Najim (Irak) 232
144 Ghicitoarea - Ahmed Mutter (Irak) 233
145 Un plan - Ahmed Mutter (Irak) 234
146 O, ntuneric, cluzete-m - Basim Furat (Irak) 235
147 Albea - Adnan el-Sayegh (Irak) 236
148 De parc tu treci acum: Un cntec al Crista lului i al Balcoanelor -
Ali el-Rauwaihy (Oman) 237
149 Rndunica - Saadiah Mufrah (Kuweit) 238
150 Ea, o ploaie de sete - Ibrahim Mohamad Ibrahim (Emiratele Arabe
Unite)
239
151 Scoate-i plria - Ahmed el-Aktash (Egipt) 240
152 nfrngeri - Ahmed el-Aktash (Egipt) 242
153 Versuri dintr-un capitol al Pietrei - Hilal el-Faraa(Palestina) 243
154 Dormind pe armoniile poeziei mele - Hilal el-Faraa (Palestina) 246
155 tiu c tu eti ucigaa mea - Hilal el-Faraa (Palestina) 247
156 Bolboroseala vntului - Sultan el-Zyadneh (Iordania) 248
157 Trei al patrulea al lor este valul meu - Abdel Salam el- Attary (Palestina) 250
304
158 Fragmente din cartea lui Malik el -Ashtar Abed el-Salam el-Kibasy
(Yemen)
251
159 De ce tcerea - Ashrif Majeed el-Halabi (Palestina) 253
160 O fat spal chipul lui - Ali el-Setrawi (Bahrain) 254
161 Poeme care s nu fie nelese - Ali Ahmed Hagiz (Yemen) 255
162 Vis cosmopolit Munir Mezyed (Romnia) 256
163 Potaul Abdel Salam el-Attary (Palestina) 257
164 Doruri coapte cu amintiri - Mohammed Amari (Maroc) 258
165 Femeie sub ape - Mohamad Ksibat (Libia) 259
166 Elegie Palestinian - Munir Mezyed (Romnia) 261
167 Cerc - Huda Al-Daghfaq (Arabia Saudit) 264
168 De dragul libertii - Hassan Hegazy (Egipt) 265
169 Vin la tine plin de poft - Aziz el-Wali (Maroc) 266
170 Pentru c eti fantastic! - Hassan Hegazy (Egipt) 268
171 Cltorie n exil - Adnan el-Sayegh (Irak) 269
172 Omagiind zidurile - Manal Ali Bin Amro (Emiratele Arabe Unite) 271
173 Veveriele - Idris Aloush (Maroc) 272
174 Noaptea - Idris Aloush (Maroc) 273
175 O cdere - Idris Aloush (Maroc) 274
176 Degetele cerului - Dalia el-Salih (Siria) 275
177 Scuturnd violeta - Layila el-Said (Bahrain) 276
178 Domeniile singurtii - Mohammed el-Fakhari (Maroc) 277
179 ntlniri - Lubna el-Manwzi (Maroc) 279
180 Nunta martirului - Mohammed Amari (Maroc) 280
181 Jurnalul unui rege uitat - Ahmed Abu Ridan (Iordania) 281
182 Cu mine o dorin de via - Latifa Qari (Arabia Saudit) 283
183 Fereastra vntului - Nouara Lahrash (Algeria) 284
184 Poem de dragoste pentru Palestina - Munir Mezyed (Romnia) 285
185 Palestina i Visul - Munir Mezyed (Romnia) 289
186 Cltorie n nevzut - Munir Mezyed (Romnia) 292
305
306
Gateway to Modern Arabic Poetry
Prepared and Translated by
Munir Mezyed
Edited by
Prof. Abdul-Settar Al-Assady
307
All rights reserved. Munir Mezyed,2007
308
A Foreword
This book is an anthology of Arabic Free Verse incorp orating new
selections of Arab poets of different generations and experiences, environments
and countries. The poets are more than 180 in number all in all, each with one
poem with exception of one or two to make the number of the poem reach 180
only. Some of the poets of the Anthology are of a very high credit whose oeuvre
have been in circulation in languages other than Arabic, the Original. Some other
poets, whom the readers of the world at large have no access to , for no reason but
that of the language barrier, are very well read, appreciated and taken by their
homeland readers and audiences. They are represented here regardless to what -not
differences and contradictions, irrelevances and inconsistencies among Arabs; such
differences and contradictions do extend to nearly many aspects but, fortunately
enough not to the significance or the role of poetry. This is because Arabs, all
Arabs, while they don't agree on anything else, as they do agree on one fact: they
read poetry, they listen to poetry and the y love poetry. However, these
disagreements have an unlimited number of poets' voices gagged, curbed and
neglected for multifarious reasons above which is the 'level line' of free expression
that fluctuates, never up , but always down, ebbing and only not to flow once more,
here and there! In this Anthology, those unlimited have got a voice, one poem each.
The idea behind making out the whole Anthology as well as planning for
the project and right away from its early stages to the collecting of the material in
its source language and contacting Mr. Marius Chelaru , the Romanian Translator,
and giving me the honor of participating in this honorable feat that serves to boost
this dialogue among peoples despite their differences in languages, r eligions
etcare mainly the responsibility and contribution and initiative of the hard -
working man and brilliant poet Mr. Munir Mezyed. However, it is left for the other
English-Arabic translators mentioned below to choose the poems they like to have
here included.
This Anthology does not follow a chronological way in classifying poets
into generations, as it is patterned in almost all anthologies of poetry. Neither does
it categorize the poets in any form nor are their poems arranged alph abetically or
309
thematically or even according to their related IDs (of countries) although we
discussed this matter at the very beginning a lot. The poet Mr. Munir Mezyed
attempts to keep the poems as they are in the same order he chooses. I felt that he
may aim at tracing the way he feels first about them, at documenting and recording
his feelings and choices the way he finds these voices, all voices with no exception
expressing him via their own. The Anthology, then it seems, follows a psychic
method, the psyche of a poet when he loves, when he yearns for his lost paradise,
when he rebels and smashes all taboos, when he weeps, sings or when he is
religious or irreligious, a man in want of a loving woman's lap, a woman wanting
man to share the cup of ecstas y, when feels the world as a tree or a wave or
dewdrop or a poem neighing like a horse or words flying like pigeons or flocks of
sheep fleeing away once he utters them, when he starts with Iraq and ends in
craving for Palestine. This is an orchestra master ed by a poet with a magic wand in
his hand. He is the Yanni of the Modern Arab poetry. This is where this Anthology
differs from other editions. It is the first of its kind!
This Anthology is issued in a trilingual edition Arabic, Romanian and
English set together under one cover. The Arabic text is, of course, the source
language. The Romanian translations of the poems are done via English by the
Romanian Poet, Critic and Translator Mr. Marius Chelaru, poem by poem, verse by
verse, image by image. Here, in this step, in particular and in order to keep the
sense and spirit of the poems translated indirectly to another language via not that
of the source, Mr. Munir works, side by side, with Mr. Marius in the Romanian
Version as he reads every poem Mr. Marius translates to make sure the Romanian
version gets the exact meaning and keeps the artistic image and soul. The English
has been the work, if none referred to otherwise, of the Arab Poet, Novelist,
Researcher and Translator, Mr.Munir Mezye d. Moreover, there are other
contributors as translators via the source language, Arabic into English. They are in
an alphabetical order: Mrs. Betoul Ahmed, Eman Ahmed, Mr. Hassan Hegazi, Mr.
Sami Khamu, Mrs. Khulud Al -Mutaliby, Mr. Samir Al -Shanawy in addition to the
Editor, Prof. Al-Assady, who also shared in translating a number of poems.
Since the Anthology is trilingual, it is printed though under one cover
but in three separate parts; each part for a language. Each part includes the same
number of poems the other two parts carry. Poems in each are numbered. Each
poem carries the same number in the three versions. The Idea behind that is to
facilitate things to readers who want to check or follow or entertain themselves
with poems of other versions; so instead of making them go to the index or the
contents page to look for names or poems' titles , we may make things easy, i.e, just
to look for numbers of the poems , not pages .
310
The Anthology offers this great number of Verse selections only as
specimens of the Arab Free Verse Movement, the Movement which in 1947
radicalized the elements of the Arabic Qasida, smashed the rules of the Classical
prosody that enchained poets more than one thousand years ago, and initiated a
new track in Arab literature. Hence, it is quite proper to allude to the features of the
Arab Ancient poetry, the significance of poetry in a Nomadic society and the status
of the Ancient poet among his tribesmen as well as the etymology of the word
'Shi'ir' before we deal with the movement itself. And these items are the
mainstreams of Introduction below.
Prof. Abdul-Settar Abdul-Latif Al-Assady
Dept of English/ College of Education
University of Basarah/Iraq
Email:ibnassad2005@yahoo.com
311
The Introduction
By
Prof. Abdul-Settar Al-Assady
1. Poetry: The Etym of the Word
In English as well as in some European languages, the word 'Poetry ' is
taken from the Greek 'Poetica' which is derived from the verb 'poiein' that means 'to
make'.
In Arabic, the word 'Shi'ir' means 'to feel' and 'to express feeling' .It dates
back to 'Shiru', a word of Akkadian origin. The Akkadian is a very akin language,
if not an ancestor, to Arabic in all language levels: syntax, morphology, phono logy
and semantics as a great number of archaeological researches showed. 'Shiru', as
specialists of old languages of Mesopotamia said, has a double meaning. It stands
for two verbs, the first is 'surakhu' (to mean 'weep), and now in Arabic 'sarakha',
i.e., cry and weep- it bears the same meaning though with a very slight variation in
pronunciation. The second is 'zammaru' (to mean 'sing'), now in Arabic 'zammara',
i.e, sing using flute.It bears nearly the same sense and a slight variation in
pronunciation. Moreover, the Akkadian word 'Shiru' itself had come, with the same
pronunciation bearing the sense of ' a song or a sad song', as a loan word into the
Akkadian language from the Sumerians, the most ancient people of the world , and
the early natives of Mesopotamia, now Iraq. Hence, the word 'Shiru' avails in
almost all the languages termed as Semitic languages: Arabic, Hebrew, Aramaic
and Phoenician. Now, in Hebrew for instance, 'Shir Hishreem' means the 'the song
of songs'.
According to historical evidences based on excavated tablets taken from
Ur site at the South of Iraq, it is known that the Sumerians used to sing their lyrics
that expressed mirth, suffering or dejection, in all religious rituals ( that of fertility
and rebirth), coronati on festivals and feasts of the sacred marriage about 3000 B.C..
Archaeologists in Mesopotamia could excavate ancient tablets written in the
Cuneiform inscription, the most ancient language of the world, portraying the
rituals of the sacred marriage as per formed by Shu-Sin (3030-3038 B.C), the
Fourth Ancient Sumerian King of the Third Dynasty of Ur as the god of fertility
312
together with a Sacred Temple Woman representing the goddess of fertility. At the
Wedding Night, the Woman of the Temple cited and sang a happy 'shiru' as the
rituals were in process. Below is one of the ritual poems ever reached us:
Oh, Bridegroom. So dear to my heart
How exciting your making-love is.
Your charm has captured me! I only stand to tremble before you.
Oh bridegroom. I wish you take me to my Boudoir
Oh, Bridegroom. Let me kiss you.
My kiss is sweeter than honey!
In the Boudoir, full of honey
Let me enjoy your nice beauty!
Hence, the word 'Shi'ir' as it is used in Arabic is rendered the most ancient word
history of mankind ever recorded. It has kept its sense and form despite the
progress mankind witnessed. It is even more ancient than the word 'poetica' which
is related to 'making' while the Arabic word is related to' feeling'. What a
difference!
2. Characteristics of the Arab Columnar Poetry
The Classical Arab Poetry is dubbed with two different terms. Either it is
called 'the Ancient Poetry. This is because it dated back to a period of time as
ancient as the Jahilayah Epoch, i.e., nearly 200 years before the birth of Proph et
Mohammad (PUH) at 570 A.D. Or it may be called 'the Columnar Poetry' after the
16-metre form of prosody it follows in writing: this form Ancient Nomad Arabs
who toured the saharas of Arabia carrying their tents, flocks of camels and woman
and children, using a figurative language, was considered as the pillar or the
column they employed or put into use when setting up the bases of their tents. They
started with the Main pillar or Column; hence came the appellation or the title of
Arab poetry as Columnar. The concept of the Column signifies the important role
both poetry and its columnar form itself played in their desert habitat in Arabia.
Sometimes, the columnar form is named 'Al -Khalili Column' after the name of
Ahmed Ibn Al-Khalil Al-Farahidy, the first Arab grammarian, lexicographer and
inventor of the Prosody Rules in the way they have been in use up to the initiation
of the Free Verse Movement, the mainstream of this Anthology, in 1947.
Accordingly, each metre gets a number of feet the stem of whic h is based
on two sounds a sound with a diacritic and a sound without. The two would form
a dual sound pattern that could be joined into different relations from two to six;
each a new relation is considered a foot. The Arabic prosody has neither been
313
related to stressed syllables nor to unstressed ones as it is the case for instance in
English prosody.
Among other features that complicated the matter a little bit for Arab poets
is that a final sound should rhyme the whole poem regardless to how long it might
be in terms of the number of its lines. This is called 'Rawy letter'. Moreover, an
Arabic verse line contains two sub-lines that are separated by ' caesura ', the first
sub-line is 'Shatre'(i.e. division) and the second ' Ajiz' (i.e. Back) . The two subs
may or may not form one meaningful unit. The two could be totally independent;
hence the impression it leaves that the Arabic Classical poetry is disconnected
lacking unity etc. This is true to a great extent. This is why poets in the various
epochs of the history of Arab literature exerted a lot to abide by these rather very
strict rules. However, it takes time to jettison them away thanks to the Free Verse
Movement in question.
3. The Status of the Poet among his Tribesmen
As Arabs were a nation in the becoming, the 'tribe' as an institution was
still the nucleus around which Arabs' life and society pivoted. The tribal relations,
norms and visions governed every aspect in Arabia. There were wars, conflicts and
raids and forays here and there among all tribes. The reasons and excuses differ but
the cruelty of nature and the scarcity of water and other requisites of life in such
arid habitat like Arabia together with different tribal idiosyncrasies to control scant
numbers of wells of water and main trade routs were among the causes of such
belligerent nature of the Nomads. Tribes reared their male children on values of
horsemanship and cruelty; revenge, self -pride connected to tribe-pride and honor;
on principles of defending the oppressed tribesmen and refusing injustice or harm
inflicting the tribe and taking part into the tribe's raids, wars and conquers in right
and in wrong, though all the time in the wrong.
Poets were born amid these tribal values and impacts and visions .And their
poems were the vehicles for Arabs to spread the tribal doctrines from one
generation to another. Poets were considered as the defenders of the tribe at the
time of war, preachers at time of peace , verse orators to instill the magic eloqu ence
of their language into the younger breeds, chroniclers who recorded their history
though orally and even the sacred temple men as ancient Arab Nomads believed
that every poet got one genii or 'a Follower' coming daily to inspire him with verse,
adage and wise sayings. Thus, poets were sought for, bestowed with all kinds of
hospitality, generosity by their chiefs. They were the symbols of tribe -learning, and
-dignity and history as well.
314
At certain times in Ancient Arabia, there were litera ry markets and poetry
forums held so that poets of different tribes came to initiate flyting. Also, there
were big tents set up for big poets (as Al -Thibyanni) to put their poetry to his
criticism. The best poems hence were celebrated and inscribed on post ers and hung
on the walls of the Ka'aba especially at the annual rendezvous of the Arabs. They
called these poems 'Mu'allaqat' meaning 'hanging verses'. Such display on the walls
of the Ka'aba was the reward for the poets.
When Islam was revealed, it respected poets on new bases their
abeyance of the Islamic doctrines of good faith, of call for virtue, love and peace,
of defending woman's rights, of abandoning vendetta, profanity and vice. Prophet
Mohammad considered poetry ' the wisdom by in stinctand Arabs can stop saying
poetry only if camels stop craving', while 'A'isha, his younger spouse rendered
poetry 'the water for children's arid souls'. Omar, the 2
nd
Caliphate enjoyed himself
by reciting Al-Asha's long poems; Ibn Maso'od, the Prophe t's Disciple, considered
poetry as 'the discharge emitted for one wounded in chest!'. There are so many
sayings and examples in this respect, all enhance the role of poetry in the life of
Arabs. Poetry, when Arab civilization came to its ascendancy at Ab basid Caliphate,
was used in jotting down Arab scientists' discoveries, inventions, theses and books.
It is there in books of grammar, chemistry, philosophy, medicine, astronomy etc.
Many verses are put into the warp and weft of the Arabian Nights, the E pistle of
Love by Ibn Sinna (Aviccena), of Ibn Hazim's Ring of the Doveetc. It is through
such books that Arab classical poetry moved to Europe when great Arab
masterpieces in different fields of learning were translated at medieval ages to
Latin, Spanish, French etc. In addition, direct and indirect contact with Arabs in
Al-Andalusia, Sicily, Malta, and Cyprus as there were centers of translation, played
a great role in triggering new movements in medieval literature, in general and in
poetry in particular. Troubadours for instance were influenced by Muwashahat and
Ghazel. And Dante learnt to write his first sonnets via following the Ghazel
examples. There are many other European poets who were affected by one way or
another by the Arabic Classical poetry.
4. Arabic Free Verse
When the Arabic Fr ee Verse began or who was the pioneering poet of
the Free Verse Movement is still a disputable matter. Some said it was initiated by
Nazik al-Mala'ika in 1947 when she wrote ' Cholera', as the first poem in free
verse: the new way of writing poetry in Arab ic literature that changed the course of
modern Arabic poetry in years to come and radicalized all the ingredients of the
Arabic poem. Some said it was Badr Shakir al -Sayyab when he published 'Was It
Love?' the same year. In addition, there were poets who soon followed in track
from all over the Arab countries, now considered as the first generation of the Free
315
Verse Poets: from Iraq (Al -Baiyaty, Al-Braikan, Buland Al-Haidery), from Egypt (
Salah Abdul-Saboor, Ahmed Mu'ty Hijazi ), from Lebanon (Khalil Haw y, Yosif
Al-Khal), from Syria (Nazar Qabani, Adonees), from Palestine ( Fadwa Toqan,
Salma Al-Juwaisy) , from Sudan ) Mohammad Al -Faitoory) and others. The
Anthology has included some works of Al -Braikan and Qabani while it focuses on
the generations that came later.
It has been taken for granted that the Free Verse Movement was
triggered in this part of the world because of multifarious factors internal and
external. The internal ones are related not only to the intrinsic shackles the
Columnar poetry impose on poets but also to some objective factors having a lot to
do with the vehement upheavals overwhelming the political, social and cultural
premises everywhere in the Arab Homeland at the forties of the 20
th
century. There
was prevalent a sense of the necessity for change. Backwardness, illiteracy,
poverty and ignorance were rife. Poets, the sensitive minds felt it was their tasks to
ignite change in one domain that was rendered a taboo the Columnar Poetry. The
external factors included the contact, direct or indirect, with the poetic experiences
in the civilized world. All the pioneering names of the Arab Free Verse Movement
were in touch with or influenced by English, American and French poets, the
Symbolists Baudelaire, Lafourge, Rimbau, Valery, Mallarme, the Dadist Briton
etc, the Modernists Eliot, Pound, Emy Lowell, W.C.Williams, Edith Sitwell,
Ted Hughesetc; the Confessionist Robert Lowell, Allen Ginsberg , and Walt
Whitman and Emily Dickison etc. The experiences of all these great poets were
at hand to Arab Free Verse Poets who were either specialized in English or Arabic
or they completed their degree studies in European universities.
The new movement smashed the Columnar Verse though not in all its
features. Old prosody was no longer followed as a new one was initiated free from
the shackles of the final rhyme sound, the number of feet in the verse line, the
unified metre of the whole poem and the division of the lines no caesura any
more ; no longer t he line is divided into two sub-lines. The new movement
furnitures the Arab Modern poet with new tools to express himself, the tools may
extend to incorporate all mankind's mind product within, from the use of myths to
philosophy, from the east to the west . The Free Verse poet is free to employ what
imagery, style, vocabulary, meter, foot, form, content, rhythm etc he likes,
prefers and goes congruous with the line of his thought, mood, background and
mastery of the art itself as craft and devices. Moreov er, the movement enables the
poet for the first time to utilize what semiotic signs and topology could offer the
poet with silence enters as a device; blank space becomes meaningful; all
irregularities, inconsistencies, irrelevances sound regular, consis tent and relevant.
The Free Verse movement works with a poet who is no longer obstructed to a
constricted sense of the tribe, country, race, religion, society, mentality and
prejudices the Classical poet was enchained with since the modern Arab poet
316
adopting this movement now comes to belong to a new world; he has become
consciously or unconsciously a cosmopolitan citizen even before the advent of this
debatable 'globalization'. However, the freedom he cherishes does not mean that he
gives no heed to discontents, whatsoever, his kinsmen suffer nor he turns his face
to their moments of relaxation. He, as compared to the Ancient Columnar poet, is
more well-versed and involved in the matters of the world, the whole world if not
the universe, whether at the mome nt or thousands years before! Still, there is a
slight difference between the two, a gap that cannot be abridged, i.e., the Ancient
Arab poet was celebrated and sought for whether by his tribesmen or by the chiefs
of all Arab tribes in Arabia two thousan ds years. The contemporary poet suffers a
lot. He suffers his loneliness and alienation. He is exiled reluctantly whether he
chooses to live within the political borders or out. He is gagged if not silenced and
traced though he cherishes absolute freedom i n the domain of his rhymes but never
outside!
In this Anthology, the themes dealt with are as multifarious as the poets'
experiences, backgrounds or IDs are. One may move from chanting to one's Land
(as in Maha Al-Khatib's Only to You) to expressing existential loss of man ( as in
Al-Braikan's the Manner of Sand); from a manifesto -like declaration of why a poet
ever writes (as in Sulaf Abbas's I Write) to declaring death -in-life in a form of an
elegy to Father (as in Fatima Al -Hamzawi's The Female{Infant}, Buried Alive);
from the Gothic fears of Loneliness (as in Hassan Khashab's A Call for Return) to a
metaphysical trepidation of the hurrying time (as in Mohammad Al -Laghafi's Not
in Our Capability); from expressing mutiny against ideological Authorities ( as in
Mostafa Morad's Allah) to saying farewell to rocks (as Ziad Al -Saudi's All This
and More); to craving for the King of Romance (as in Munir Mezyed's Abdel
Halim Hafez); to 'Praying to the Sea' ( by Hassan Assi El -Sheikh). However, a
casual eye may trace common motifs recurrent in lines, images and stanzas,
keeping popping up here and there as one goes on reading, though the
manipulations or perspectives differ, of course, in their particularities, from one
poet to another. And this is nat ural. Such motifs could be of Love, of Death, of
being forlorn, of being fraught with certain unknown dismays. Yet, Love prevails:
the love of man to woman, of woman to man, of man to mankind, of peace and of
saying no to shredding more of blood, of saying no to absurdities of War:
I will sort out my dreams
And my only shoe
Once besmirched with war-and peace Chronicles
.
As I possess nil from the war
(From I'll Get my Bags Ready to Travel, Mohmood Sulaiman)
317
Accordingly imagery differs. The differences may reveal the Arab poets'
Shamanism of their domains. The Arab Free Verse poets as represented here in this
Anthology have shunned off all taboos in setting up undreamt -off relationships
among vocabulary in Arabic, found similarities and ev en absurdities, within
dissimilarities or impossible things, blended various vistas in moulding their
images. Hence, there are medleys of all sorts of images: the Symbolist and
Surrealist, the Gothic and Metaphysical and Realist.
Despite the high mastery of the translators having worked in this
Anthology, the translation of the poems has been done not without difficulties.
Some of them are related to the source language: in an attribution of, say, a singular
1
st
speaker pronoun to a vague antecedent; in the absence of diacritic of certain
Arabic words that may be problematic and disputable and confusing without, that
may have more than one meaning, all possible!; sometimes, the difficulties are in
Arabic words that have no English equivalent s things related to cultural context
and even if there such equivalents, they wouldn't have nor bear the same
connotations in the target language, for instance words such as ( , ,
, ). Sometimes, the difficulties are met in words that convey
condensed images that should be de-condensed into their threads thread by
thread, while translating words such as ( , ). Sometimes, the difficulty is
deliberately worked upon by the poets themselves as they avail of not o nly
ambiguities of syntax that are easily offered in the source language but also of
opacity or obscurity of ideasAgain and again, the structure of a poem in Arabic
may dwell upon repetitions of some words that have the same spellings and stems
and seemingly look the same ; yet they bear different meanings each time they
occur, for instance ( , , , , ) . By all means, all the
translators have done all their utmost and passed what -not hurdles rather with
remarkable success so that they convey a readable text in the target language.
Now to Poems!
318
1.
O My Homeland
By Munir Mezyed (Romania)
I saw in my dream
Golden bees
Coming out of the soul
Making white wax
And heavenly honey
From the bitterness of migr
And I saw the sun
Glowing in the heart
And the Moon a woman
Shading under an olive tree
Suddenly
The wind blew
From a cracked chest
Behind the wall of memory
Thus autumn replaced dream
And dream fled again
Returning back to my homeland
I woke up asking:
O My homeland,
Do you still have a place
For a dream?
319
2.
Only For You
By Maha el-Khatib (Iraq)
Only for you, words dance
And the Sun weaves from its threads
Exquisite images and paintings,
Draws the grin of a child,
And the whispering of the waves
Upon the shores of Tigris and the Euphrates....
Only for you,
My feelings harmonize
Like a fountain of love and admiration,
And with kisses, I cover your holy flesh,
And sip from your lips
The nectar of your flowers
And the fragrance of Basrah henna
The chrysanthemum odour on Shat -el-Arab,
On Ashar (river)
Only for you not for others,
My tresses smile,
And my locks chant,
Searching for the harbor of your arms,
And my fingers sail the seas of your palm.
As it is only for you,
I unbridle my poetry
Bridled in the depths.
As it is only for you,
I will overcome my fears, pain and loneliness,
And enjoy the ecstasy
Of reaching the Edge of the World,
And set free my insanity and leave my soul
A trust under the Minarets of Kadhimia
And Al -Kilani and Abbas.
320
The candles of my votive sailed alone the shores of Hella,
Breathing heavily after a memo of your intimacy....
Only for you
I will gather all the joys,
The wedding parties -- my memories of eagerness,
My passion,
And the smell of the smoked fish amorously dallies with
The cheeks of Abu Noas.
Only for you,
My mother and yours
Pray, implore and supplicate,
And recite Yassin , Al Rahman and the Plea
To the Greatest Hidden Name of Allah
Beseech to the lord of people...
What scattered from the dreams of your children
I will gather
in the land of stranger
And will ask what remained f rom your good men
And the hero of your struggle
In Karbalaa,
Faluja and Baghdad
Hella and Mosel
All the dark land
Only for you, hero
Who enlightens with his glory and the light of his face
The heaven
It is you who else
O Iraq
O Iraq
O Iraq
321
3.
Cup of Coffee and Females Appeal
By Layila Ibrahim (Saudi Arabia)
1.
She desired
Sipping morning
As he fills it up...
2.
A frail thread dripped
From the light of his spirit,
Thus he enlivened
Deserted caves...
3.
A drop from his breathes
Oozed
Igniting
Jungles of desire...
4.
The tamed cat
Bites
The breezes fingers
When
She tampered with its hair....
5.
A cup of coffee
Embraced desert-like lips
A luscious spell flowed....
322
6.
The roaming kisses
Heeded not
The fields of adoration.....
7.
Flock of desires
Conversed her
In haste....
8.
The pillow that stuffed
With their sighs
Slept in tranquility....
9.
That was
The temptation of the wretched
And distressed...
323
4.
A Call for Return
By Hassan Khashab (Morocco)
Here the earth is grisly
As if it were the surface of the Moon.
Water is rare,
And the sun casts sparks.
Nature here is severely harsh,
Till peoples trait becomes arduous
O Sindibad, enough flight,
It is time to go back...
Here the souls die of loneliness,
Or boredom...
You departed a land
Wherein the most precious gems
Abide in her sand...
The drops of rain make her as if in spring,
Wear the most appealing images.....
The flowers fill her with fragrance
And the birds sing happily on the trees,
There - summer is a season of wedding,
Or harvesting the seeds,
There - night is an intimate date
For glee and intimacy....
Back, O sailor, back,
Your sweetheart has waited enough...!
324
5.
Situations
By Salih el-Soisi (Tunisia)
Violins
Between two sad mantras,
The teeny violins dance,
And cry
The memory of their chafed strings...
Slow Death
There, near an old heart h
She sat down flattering what has remained
Of an age of wheat stalks her age!
What an amazing time...!
The autumn has returned so soon this year....
Prediction
In such a long night like this one
what could two lovers do...?
Maybe they would smile at the Moon hidden
Behind the clouds of winter
And dream...!
Letter
I put the rose in the letter
with some alphabets which I bestrewed them like tears
On the face of the screen...
In the morning she opened her mail box,
A light gushed,
And between her fingers one thousand butterflies danced...!
325
6.
Letter to My Mother
By Suhail el-Isawi (Palestine)
Oh my mother,
I know how dear
I am to your heart,
And I know that your eyes wont blink
Before I surrender my self to sleep...
If I dont come on time,
You will start searching for me everywhere,
Knocking all the doors
to hear any news
About my place.
Perhaps the areas of your heart are swept over
By my name ...and my picture.
Maybe, your green leaves will get dry
If I go away.
You recognize my voice and picture
Among millions of faces and voices.
You identify my footsteps upon the chest of the earth
And distinguish my scattered breathes in the air.
No matter how older I become,
You will always behold me a child.
Ah my mother, I wish the past would come back again.
I would sail on your eternal compassion.
If I smash the mounts,
Travel in all the seas,
And designate you the Queen of time,
I wont be able to repay you back
For a kiss you imprinted on my cheek. ..!
326
7.
The Rain Song
By Badr Shakir el-Sayyab (Iraq)
(Translated by Khaloud el -Muttalibi)
Your eyes are two palm tree forests at early dawn
Or two verandas from which the moonlight recedes
When your eyes smile, the vines put forth their leaves
And the lights dance like moons in a river
Rippled by an oar at an early down
As if the stars were pulsating in their depth
And they drown in a mist of sheer sorrow
Like the sea stroked by the hands of the evening
Containing the warmth of winter and the quiver of Autumn
And death and birth, darkness and light
A sobbing flares up to shiver in my soul and
And a ferocious elation embracing the sky
An ecstasy of a child scared by the moon
As if arches of mist were drinking the clouds
Drop by drop dissolved in the rain
And the children burst into laughter in the vineyard bowers
The rain song tickled the silence of the sparrows on trees
Rain
Rain
Rain
The evening yawned and the clouds were still
Pouring their heavy tears
As if a child, before sleeping, was raving about his mother
A year ago, he woke up and did not find her
And when he kept asking about her
He was told
327
After tomorrow she will be back
She must come back
Yet his companions whisper that she is there
Laying dead by the side of the hill
Eating soil and drinking rain
As if a sad fisherman was gathering nets and
Cursing the water and fate
Scattering songs as the moon sets
Rain
Rain
Do you know what sorrows the rain can prompt?
And how gutters sob when it pours down?
Do you know how lost a lonely person feels in the rain
Endlessly like bloodshed, the hungry, love, children and the dead
It is the rain
Your eyes take me roaming in the rain
Lightings from across the gulf sweeps
The Iraqi shores with stars and shells
As if dawn was about to break from them
As if a sun was about to rise from them
But the night pulls over a coverlet of blood
I call out on the gulf O gulf
O bestower of pearls, shells and death"
The echo replies as if grieving:
"O gulf
O bestower of shells and death"
I almost hear Iraq massing thunder
And storing lightning in mountains and plains
In order that if the seal were broken by men
The winds would not leave any trace of Thamud in the valley
I almost hear the palm trees drinking the rain
Hear the villagers groan and the immigrants
Struggling with oar and sail
The gulf storms and thunders singing
Rain
Rain
Rain
And there is hunger in Iraq
The harvest scatters the corn in it
The locusts and crows may eat their fill
Granaries and stones grind on and on
328
Mills turn in the fields surrounded by human
Rain
Rain
Rain
How many tears we shed when the night of departing arrived
Making the rain an excuse fearing the blame
Rain
Rain
Since we were children, the sky would be clouded in winter
And the rain would pour down
And every year, when soil becomes green
We starve
Not a year passed and Iraq has not suffered starvation
Rain
Rain
Rain
In every drop of rain
Red or yellow buds of flowers
Every tear shed by the hungry and naked
And every drop of slaves' blood shed
Is a smile awaiting a new mouth
Or a nipple becomes rosy in an infant's mouth
In the young world of tomorrow
Giver of life
Rain
Rain
Rain
Iraq will become green"
I call on the gulf": O gulf
O giver of pearls, shells and death
The echo replies as if whimper ing:
"O gulf
O bestower of shells and death
The gulf scatters its plentiful gifts
On the sand: a lather of salty water and shells
And the remains of the drowned forlorn immigrant still
Drinking death
From a fathomless gulf in the silence below
In Iraq a thousand serpents drink
The nectar from a flower, the Euphrates has nurtured with
Dew
I hear the echo
329
Resounding in the gulf
Rain
Rain
Rain
In every drop of rain
Red or yellow buds of flowers
And each tear shed by the naked and hungry
And each drop of slave's blood shed
Is a smile awaiting a new mouth
Or a nipple becomes rosy in an infant's mouth
In the young world of tomorrow, giver of life
And the rain pours down
330
8.
Ambition
By Abdulsalam Mosbah (Morocco)
1.
My lady,
My ambition was very limited
Very simple
To be One, say, in a nest,
In the sanctuary of pelican,
Or on the branches of the moon,
Or the current to carry and lead us to an alphabet
That explodes with fertility,
Tempts the whisperings,
The fruits of love,
And awakens a heavenly glamour within us,
Buds in the desert of the flesh,
Cleanses us from the swells of aridity,
From the drought of love
And the Drought of love-making... !
2.
My lady,
My ambition was lesser
Than you could imagine.
It was to sit at a caf
To clap for a waiter
And order cups of dreams,
Some slices
Of the bread of time...!
When the green longing touches us,
We slacken in the shade of the wet alphabet
In order to embellish a domain
That admits whisper,
Revealing,
Areas in which we could i mplant love
And the promised hope,
And open for the bridled desires
A window
In the roof of time...
And we sleep naked
Like all the simple people...!!
331
9.
Three Scenes from Memos of Sad Man
By Haneen Omar (Algeria)
1.
Alone you are
and the memory of love is empty in spite of the clique.
Your cups
Without coffee;
The blackness that fills them
Has the taste of coffee and the odor of crying.
2.
In front of the table a spectrum
It is you while thinking it is someone else
And under your feet a startling emptiness
Spreading over you
And making the sky grieve...
3.
You have now:
-While trying hard to be
For the last time a poet -
Pen,
Paper,
A desire !
Still your limpness is
Stronger than the areas of things...
332
10.
The Main Road
By Lamis Saaidi (Algeria)
The old dust
Dwells in the balconies...
Only the old woman understands:
Why the rain of autumn is unable
To wash the face of evening...!
She enters the cinemas open hall,
Watching her favorite movie-
(The passing by of pedestrians and cars)
Realizing that the hero will be more handsome
When he gets older...!
Only she will kiss him at the end of the movie
And leave with him at the end of the night
Together with the long-stopped clock hands..
333
11.
I Pray Behind my Shadow
By Bahija Massri Adelbi (Syria)
Give me an attire
From dreams,
From the shadow of words,
So that I may conceal the silence of my spirit,
Sprinkle memory
With an alphabet
From the myths of evening....
Then I will fold the trip of coldness,
Pray behind my shadow
Be able to sleep...!!
Give me a transparent attire
If it discloses the mirrors of my melodies,
It will unveil me.
Whenever I hide myself in it
I hide my grief...
Give me whatsoever
As the secret overflows within me,
And night moves
With the wind....!
Thus my mornings become baffled
While I am not perceiving that...!
O you who spreads in my vision
Horizons and azure..
Here, I am not wearing a thing
But love....
But me!
Give me attire
From the clouds
So, when ever it embraces me,
I realize its depth...!
334
12.
Ill Get my Bags Ready to Travel
By Mahmood Suliman (Egypt)
On my way to you,
I will wage a war
From one side
As I own nothing
But one grin...
I will empty the thirty years
And ask the children,
The streets and stations,
The newspapers sellers,
About a blood which is not mine,
And about friends who left behind their weeping
And departed...
I will sort out my dreams,
And my only shoe once besmirched
With war- and-peace chronicles,
And mumble simple things:
The palm tree has never been fruitful,
The dog that got bored of its barking,
Died alone..
On my way to you,
I forget the regrets of my hands
And the quarrel of my children,
And my need to cry,
And ask,
How many roses are in the way...!
335
As I possess nil from the war
Except dust of fake triumphs.
I will get my bags ready to travel,
And the hamlet for the trip,
And the sparrows
For the rifle...
Ah I wish the clouds could follow me
While I hide the tempest
In my half sleeve shirt,
And give the fields my coffee,
And bow
To the air that dispersed
The gathering of the loved ones
Ah if the war would realize that
Im counting the stones
In my babys short pipe...
Nothing is in the vehicles
But war...
Nothing is in the war
But a way
Which leads to nothing new...
336
13.
My Mother
By Ahmad el-Attar (Morocco)
My mother
A light walking on my eyelash,
Clarity pouring with the rain.
My mother
The wrinkles of time,
The spring of compassion.
The skyline! No! Beyond!
Beyond the coldness of fate...!
My mother,
A flag
Fluttering over my arches,
A star
Glimmering among my stars,
A garden of love and tree...
My mother,
A heart respiring roses,
Mercy hailing love,
The bright breeze and delicious flower...
My Mother,
The earth, love and home,
Everything that has been and will be,
Inscribed in the dictionaries of aspiration...
My mother,
Under her feet is paradise,
And the glamour in her facial appearance.
My mother,
-every mother is about to be
A goddess
Among the people...!!
337
14.
The Manner of Sand
By Mahmood el-Braikan (Iraq)
(Translated by Abdul -Settar Al-Assady)
To History much ado and rub
Never hearkened by million skulls
That in oblivion are wrapped
You, man,
On the brink of this world, overlook the Cosmic Abyss,
Aspire to galaxies
On a flickering of a fading torch,
You, man,
Contemplate distances and millions of light years
And gaze at the watch in hand
This is your Monarchy.
Oh, man
You change! You dissolve! What for?
Here, events are heaped
And History as a wave fluctuates
And the fixed whereabouts changes
In the manner sand-dunes do
Where the shapes, time after time, are molded
Where the gushed plagues march to blow
Where the seasons be at war
Where only one rose in the void grows
What are the Planets, if not just a grain amidst the Cosmos?
What is Man's life, if not a crass moment amidst Infinity?
Then, Man, fear not. That is the question.
Since this moment is still yours, you may mat ch
The rhythms of the world to the beats of your Heart.
Man, take deep inhales
Though amidst the abyss of Void, you are.
338
15.
The Female (infant), Buried Alive
By Fatima el-Hamzawi (Tunisia)
Oh man who
Runs
On the spirits paths,
And guards
The ages recesses
Oh God who travels
To the cells of my being,
Do not gather my weeping.
I am still
Standing on the shore of your departure,
Tasting
The site of your footstep
Engraved
In the hearts soil.
My lip is still
Till now
Attached
With the forehead of death.
Do not gather my weeping...!
Do not gather my weeping..!
339
You, O my father,
When closing your eyes,
You forget me
Hanging there,
Sipping
The bitterness
Of losing
Like black opium.
Whenever
I run out of it,
I plant it over again
And
The forehead of death
Still
Till now
Smiles
Over the groan of my lips!
340
16.
As at Night
by Mustafa Murad (Palestine)
As at night , when it hoods everything
In its dark tummy,
The stranger gets lost,
Sleeping in the desires whispers,
Saying:
This is my home,
And my house is a locked shell
Swimming lonely
In the sea of darkness
The faraway.... The faraway...
As at night , when it hoods everything
In its dark tummy,
Seasons stride their doors open,
And maidens feed
The beaks of the fasting sparrows
Their tiny breasts..
As at night , when it hoods everything
In its dark tummy,
The high sky awakens,
Stretching the tongue of plea
Licking the mounts fervent breasts...
Thus fertility!
An endless secret...
As at night , when it hoods everything
In its dark tummy,
Feet get pregnant
Cursed with mysterious intentions,
Language melts
Over the protruded,
Insatiable lips ...
In the night where everything hides
In its dark tummy,
Quiver reaches its zenith
And reveries dream
Of the wet morning
Of the dew
That will change the color of thing....
341
17.
For You
By Mustafa Murad (Palestine)
Outlying you are like the skys dome
Near like the God
Enigmatic like the essence of things
While I am
Weary from the heaven and things
And the dumb gods
And I do love you
342
18.
The Half Truth
By Nasir Badwan (Jordan)
A shadow follows me;
It has the treading of death...
The blade of the soul of hatred
Follows me;
I hold my breaths
And my eyes behind me.
It follows me
Whenever I become ahead of it...
I try to swindle it
but it gets ahead of me.
I run as fast as I could
It reaches me...
Stabs me
I oozed blood,
I bleed.
Stab me;
I bear my wound over my trunk,
Blether ravings,
Pointing at things two:
One on the chair
One now on the way climbing it.
An odd that I behold,
The other face of the coin.
Does the chair have stairs from left,
From right
From the leftist left,
And from rightist right.
Yet, the truth is in my mouth I do claim.
Is it true that truth is in my mouth?!
I am the journalist.
I Drone,
343
Whisper.
I am the enemy of the dwelling silence,
Between the two stones of the grinder,
The Silence that grinds me.
Because of my fear,
I cry:
I neither know fear
nor get afraid.
Neither silence nor fear
Could overcome me...
I carry my guitar
fill the air of my freedom
Drone... whistle
Feel as steady paced as one shadow
Follows me. No!
Two without a sound
While in silence I fly.
My voice leaves me
As the shadow that follows does,
Is he relaxed now?
Did he like the color of my blood?!
Did he like wandering off in my eyes?!
The word-question - 'why'?
Will he remember me?
How much will he remember?
Does the prosecutor have a memory ever -- to remember me?!
Who offers condolence to my children and wife?
Ah, my darling,
How awful it hurts
The look of fear in your eyes that I know!
The tear of repression wherein my picture will grow
A journey of life,
A Journey of nowhere,
The path of my illusions and dreams,
A truth is beating like a heart
A truth is speaking in my mouth.
But is it truly
The truth
Is
In my mouth?!
344
19.
Larks of Love
By Nasir Badwan (Jordan)
My head
Glistens with grey.
My heart
Glistens with love.
Let all this whiteness be burnt
Over the embers of the fervent eagerness,
And the larks of love
Sing
In my veins,
So that the roses will be boomed.
Definitely
I will seduce you
With my wine and honey.
So stretch your slender fingers
Towards my roses
So that I may break
between your palms my stubbornness,
And accomplish
In the azure of your eyes
My advance.
345
20.
The Principles of Lust
By Ahmad el-Khial (Egypt)
Against the lust that reoccurs,
The body changes,
Molds,
Expands,
Gushing a fervent dream.
You rise up
From the fumes of vision.
You sweep up the dust of my eagerness from your head.
In your eyes
A remnant of eternal slumber
A long, long slumber,
Like my grief.
Against the lust that reoccurs,
The body, not the same.
The body ,
Departure,
Imbalance in the Time,
A hideout
and solitude,
At the same temple where I used to adore
And the same pagan goddesses
By the full breast's faith
Praises
She forgives every woman who sins
Or just desires!
346
Against the will of lust that
Recapped.
The body changed
It talked about a woman
Who gets naked every morning
and waters....
When you wave with your clothes,
A shiver flows in my limbs.
With one spike,
You, a tent,
Uprooted by the hurricanes of my lust,
Torn by the body...
347
21.
Old Age
By Buland el-Haidari (Iraq)
Another winter,
And here am I,
By the side of the burning stove,
Dreaming of a woman who might be dreaming of me,
Dreaming to bury in her bosom
A secret;
Thus she mocks not at her secret.
I dream to set out in the curve of my age
My fading years
And then she would say:
This light is mine;
Let no woman draw near it.
Here,
By the side of the burning stove,
Another winter,
And here Am I,
Sewing my dreams and fearing them,
Afraid that her eyes would mock at
A bald, idiotic patch in my head,
A gray, white hair within me,
Afraid that her feet would kick
My love
And finding myself by the side of the burning stove,
A toy in a woman's hand.
Another winter and here am I,
Alone,
Without love,
Or dreams,
Or a woman,
And tomorrow I shall die of my coldness
Here, by the side of the burning stove..!
348
22.
Near the Edge
By Mazin el-Najjar (Syria)
The hat that was fond of t he wind,
It was like me.
When I picked a tomb
Smaller than my size with two years,
The sleepers did not wake me up
With their vociferous dreams
Nor my ghost did stop on the edge,
Having long discussion,
Trying to convince the travelers to stay...!
All what I got eyelashes blinking me on high
Near a line where waters descend,
And a sharp blade
To chafe at the end the slaps of childhood,
I fold carefully
In an old drawer of the memory .
Nothing remains of him
But his face at the time when saying bye.
This is what she conveyed to her new husband
At the middle of the night.
He did not utter anything;
His hand took the responsibility to do the task.
- From what are you escaping?
Arms widely opened, having the taste of my mother.
- Im going back to your tummy
With all the old promises,
Leaving behind me all the lost words
Chewing the peoples mouth,
In order to utter them once again,
More than being in silence.
349
O death,
There are so many things,
I forgot them with you
Before you had begotten me.
Now I need cheap tickets,
Only three- class,
Enough to go on traveling
To all the stations,
Searching for my lost luggage.
350
23.
The Hurricanes of One Female
By Kamal Aref (Egypt)
Although I drank all kinds of wine,
I did not get drunk,
But the nectar of your lips made me drunk.
I got acquainted with the tender things,
But I did not see a thing as tender as your breasts.
Life tightened its grip around me,
And evolved,
But I never saw a narrow waist
Nor did I see precincts revolving
Circling, swaying...
I lived in this life in its all dimensions,
Sailed all the seas,
Not getting lost from my world,
But your eyes drown me.
Your lips sway me,
As well as all your curves,
Your coquettish hoarse,
And all your loudness and stubbornness,
Your insanity and eagerness,
And all your flow and tide,
The wail of your tempests,
The warmth of your compassion,
The tranquility of your secrets,
The harmony of your sighs.
Thus I beg you to let me
Go back to my world....
For lo! I am lost,
Looost,
Looost....!
351
24.
She, the Dawn and I
By Omar Alwi Nasna (Morocco)
Do not wake up,
Oh dawn,
Oh River,
Oh Sea,
For lo! My heart is weary...!
The wind swoops down
On the soils peak,
And the star that used to fill my hand,
Is no longer anxious to be near my side.
Do not wake up, for I am here,
Cast away on the times peak;
Memory has no heart to open
Nor has the sea of eagerness shores.
Oh Dawn, sit down
Behind the eyelashes of the night
Alone...
The picture of the swelling promise
Died within me.
Today has no more tomorrows,
Nor do I believe, oh Dawn, in your promises...!
Thus sit down alone behind the eyelash of the night,
If leaving gets you upset,
Then let me be.
For I do not have your patience,
Oh Dawn...!
352
25.
For Your Sake
By Aisha Mohammed (Saudi Arabia)
For you I will be
Whatever you want me to be.
For you I will be
The beauty
And the appealing senses.
For you I will be
The smile
And the lament of the poem.
For you I will be
The child,
The female,
The soul,
The friendly.
For you I will be
Melodies that thaw away
Your grief
And your painful wounds.
For you I will be
The vastness
And the grievous tears of heaven.
For you I will be
The night and the day,
The glittering leaves of time.
353
For you I will be
The refrain,
The convention,
The mazes,
And new recklessness.
For you I will be
The homeland,
The dwelling- place,
The shelter,
And the supplications of the lover.
For you I will be
The dream,
The existence,
And the reality.
For you I will be
The rain,
The roses,
The violet,
The velvet,
And all the joys of nature.
For you I will be
Myself.
Only for you ...
Only for you...
Only for you...
354
26.
I Glimmer Like Pine Forest
By Soad el-Kwuari (Qatar)
Beneath the only bridge,
I stood up waiting for you
In the darkness that dribbles
In the streets crowded with drunks
And lovers.
Beneath the old bridge, I stood,
Concealing the tranquility of the Universe in the pocket of my coat
And waiting for you.
I was hesitating,
Wrapping my body in apparel made of wool,
Watching the awakening of the cats
From beneath the high building
Trying so hard to move my foot...
Your hands were warmer than mine.
Your coat was wetted by the drops of rain.
Your head that went on,
Diving in my bosom...
I was hesitating
To remove your tent from my depths,
And quench my thirst by the nectar of memory.
Come to my bosom,
And crawl in like little hedgehog,
Let your rough hands
Glide on my back
Like two giant wings,
Embrace me with slackness,
Arrange the days of my time-out
On your rough- curved shores.
355
I look at you,
Swollen with pride by the odor of fast breathing fragrance,
Behind you,
By the horses of your wild lust
On my body that must rest
On any crescent.
My heart must stop soaring.
My head must get used to the evening- coffee,
To the coldness of early morning hour - one oclock.
O directions,
Engulf me with your eternal commandants,
Take me from your multiple hands,
In order to glow like a forest of pine
And smolder like the comets
So that the magical pavement may
Glimmer suddenly,
And the sparrows of love may
Soar in the sky.
Our lips are thirsty for love
For singing...
This soft sky...
The ripples touch our feet;
I attach my back to yours,
My head to yours,
My hand with yours.
We look
As if we were crucified on the winds body,
Engulfed by the tempest,
Wetted by the mist.
356
27.
Not in Our Capability
By Mohammed el-Laghafi (Morocco)
Alas,
Too long we stayed
In this chalice,
We need More than this age,
In order to make joy like a horse neigh
Around us.
But my dear,
The fingers of the clock
Started pointing at your eyes,
So let us go
Before they shed
The blood
Of my poems.
357
28.
Letter from Under the Water
By Nizar Qabbani (Syria)
If you were my friend,
Help me to leave you...
Or if you were my beloved,
Help me to be healed of you...
If I had known
That the sea was so deep,
I would not have dove in...
If I had known
That Love was so perilous,
I would not have fallen in love.
If I had known my end,
I would not have begun.
I longed for you,
So teach me not to crave...
Teach me
How to pull up the roots of your love
From the depths.
Teach me
How tears may die in the eyes,
And love may pass away
And yearnings commit suicide.
Teach me
How to rebel against you,
And to be saved from the sword of yearning.
358
I remained after you
A book with torn papers...!
You are all my past and present
And all the days of my living...
My love for you is poetic love
So why do you kill poetry in me?
My love for you is watery
So why do you push me to the rock?
Oh you whom I bestowed the suns light,
So why did you give me darkness in return...
I presented you the forests,
So why did you give me the desert?
You tour in the land
While you let the tempest chew my flesh...
I am in the water
While your voice is coming to me
From under the water,
And the resemblances of your face
Coming out for me like a giant,
Coming from the depth of water...
The lines of your hand chase me
Even in water
Ah, if my memory would drown,
If your face and history would drown
If thousands of things would drown...
Ah how worn out I feel!
If you were a prophet,
Cleanse me from this spell,
Deliver me from this atheism...
Your love is atheism,
So purify me from this atheism.
O you who depicted life unto me a poem,
And planted your wounds in my bosom,
And took patience away...
If I were so dear unto you,
then take my hand...!
For lo! I am enthralled from my
Head to my toe...
359
If you were strong,
Rescue me from this sea...
For I don't know the art of swimming
The blue waves in your eyes
Dragging me to the depths
nothing remains but the blue color
Blue...
Blue...
I do not have experience in love
Nor do I have a boat...
I am breathing under water!
I am drowning...
Drowning...
Drowning...
360
29.
One Year since Separation
By Suhail el-Isawi (Palestine)
Oh my darling,
One year has passed since our separation;
Morning took off the attire of hope.
The days are ruminative,
And people are numbers and images molding.
Each morning the sun casts its scarf to me
To wipe off the bleeding wound
From the sea of my heart,
And grief weighs heavily on the streets,
And on all the pavements that we used to flatter...
361
30.
I Lose My Mouth While You Smile
By Ali el-Sari (Libya)
Overlooking
On the tunes of her steps,
Fantasy appeared from its hideout.
Because of the language veil,
Poem would be completely naked.
This is how love comes;
This is how poetry is born
The Stones of Silence
Meanings pile on in the corners of my soul
Whenever I ride my tongue.
It tumbles at their borders
In the stones of the silence!
Enlightening
Breezes wring the eyelashes of the poem
While it is blossoming
For the morning angelic kisses...
Thus the delicate scent emanates in the sleeping corners
While you are illuminating
In the world of meaning
362
Pursuit
Your breaths chase me wherever I go,
And when I seek refuge in the poem,
I behold you there naked
And meanings wrapping you
I lose my mouth while you smile
Whenever I ride the horseback of fantasy,
The mines of visions explode under the poem.
Thus language fractures,
And letters disperse,
And sentence turns me down me.
This is how
I lose my mouth
While you are smiling
Passageways
The passages of your harmonic eyelashes
At the gate of my heart
Awaken from time to time
The faintness of the mind.
Silence
Whenever I send silence unto you,
The pasture of the poem grows up on your lips.
The way to your eyes
Is always rainy with poetry
363
31.
Normal Death
By Nidal Hamed (Palestine)
Is Death a death,
My friend
You might die a normal death,
And you might not find enough space for a coffin,
Or even a tomb,
Or blooming rose.
As the world goes in silence,
And in silence decays.
364
32.
A Grain of Joy is Enough
By Majida Abdel Nabi (Egypt)
A grain of joy is enough
To come out excruciating grief.
Oh man who is going too far,
The ghost of smile on your lips
Flutters around the heart,
Cultivates the apertures of my life with love.
Youll gather my pieces,
And take me away from my sorrows.
Thus the day starts!
Oh you who is drowning in your worries,
Soaring in your doubts,
Plant me a palm in your heart
So I may plant you a sun in my prolonged age!
Little joy is enough
To forget our wounds,
And today is a feast!
365
33.
Jamal Abdul Nasser
By Munir Mezyed (Romania)
Darkness is crawling,
Camping in the streets of our minds,
Enshrouding our life
While the devils are living in our homes
eating our bread and drinking our wine
The moon of the east
Who enlightened our souls
Departed,
Leaving his legacy behind
O Jamal Abdul Nasser,
Orphans are we.
Arise,
Shake the dust of death off your body
And let not death
Prevent you from continuing your legacy
O Jamal,
Your horse stands waiting
As the gates of Jerusalem are awaiting your entrance,
The bells of Bethlehem's churches ring,
Singing and calling to you.
Jamal,
You are he
Who wrote the glorious history chapters,
Destroyed the shrine of slavery
And defeated our enemy.
You made us Dream and Believe.
366
One can't be free if the mind is enslaved
Munir Mezyed
367
34.
Excessive Outbursts
By Ahmad el-Attar (Morocco)
1.
He was standing on the Suns shoulders,
Shedding his ink,
A token for the petitioners.
He was standing silently
Like a mount.
2.
The sky rained not that night;
He stayed staring at her for a year.
Stared inadvertently,
Thus his beloved fell down whom he desired
3.
Early he was throwing French songs out of the window,
Clutching his book as if a sword,
Sipping his coffee sadistically ,
While she in vanity was getting ready
To give lesson in love,
Lesson without a title...
4.
The Alphabets which visit me surprisingly,
While I m flattering the screen.
It regularly dies,
Waving the gypsies hankie .
368
35.
The Ordeal Tune
Salih Abdel Sabour (Egypt)
I beheld you when the nights of my life had illuminated
I beheld you when the ropes of patience had melted
I beheld you after so many long years
Like my pains, as you were in my dreams
As if the night, o my life, did not pass by
As if the sun were a sleep
In Abkar, the Jinns well
As if the world were in ecstasy
Spinning around us without perceiving
I beheld you
After so many years of deprivation and misery
As if you were a white rose and my soul fluttering over it
As if you were a tune in the depth of my heart, in your innocence a holy angel
After so many years of deprivation and anxiety
I bore my pain
And because of their dismay, my hair turned into white- gray
I see you here as you were, as if you did not slay a heart nor crushed an age
Your adorability matches with the sun and the moon
And love is inscribed on my heart that cleaved and remained like my sorrows
It is predestined for me or a fate
369
36.
The First Game
By Muhammad el-Salih el-Gharisi (Morocco)
Child I was;
My dreams are drawn
On the wings of butterflies.
My memories are tattooed
Upon the doors and walls.
My chants are signed on chirps of swallows.
Child I was,
Chasing my dreams on the path of time,
Dallying with hopes.
Child I was,
Playing with the wind,
And when darkness comes,
I gaze at the range.
I extend my hand to a moon that never comes.
I long for my mothers lap
For my first game.
Sixty dreams passed by,
Yet, I am still a child,
Observing the sea mermaids,
Building sand palaces.
Child still I am,
Stubborn like the wave.
Winds scatter what I build.
I chase . They chase.
370
O time!
When will this game be over?
We live just for sorrow.
How long that be so?
We build only to lose
How long that be so?
How long will we keep on grabbing the wind
And the dolls of candle keep on melting
Under the sun of Truth?
How long will we keep on carrying the rock of our dreams
Between the plains and the peak?
Oh Child the dweller of the ribs,
Today,
The crucified smile will be born
Upon the childrens lips,
And the child in us in joy will fly,
Grow, though I tell, no, not grow.
Only Time.
You child come,
Child remain
Only you for ever
Play the first game
371
37.
Fragments
By Sanaa Cheddal (Morocco)
Corroded Fences,
Wild and choppy sea,
And a boat, ragged boards
Feet in wait,
And Ancient Hope's shouts
The sea in fragments
The waves fractured over forgotten rock routs
A runaway shadow
Enshrouded in blackness,
Gulping the plight salinity of its flesh,
And plunging to the depths.
The wave sang
The city fell
In slow, in slow,
Leaving the masts for gulls hanging in the air.
The whale rebelled,
And on its mouth a timid smile spilled,
Telling deceivably about a runaway shadow in the bottom
With cavernous eyes
Blue cheeks,
Telling,
Narrating
About the light of the city streets,
About the hubbub and rub the confused cities,
And about crumbled leaves,
And pieces of a rusty flagon,
And about fragments.
A word is falling
Falling.
Falling to the depths.
372
38.
Dreaming of the Sun
By Aziz el-Gharbawi (Morocco)
The sky has changed.
The comrade has replaced his eyes.
The space isnt a harbor any more.
Who craves greedily for poetry?
Time isnt a storehouse for memories any more.
Talking isnt running away any more.
The beloved one has changed his heart.
Who is the one in wait for bread on the screens,
Or water from the poems springs,
Or a new face on newspapers page s..?
Who is the one whom days have not set up one's fires,
Nor have you expected him to be a different creature everyday, even you,
Or a new perfume growing...?
Does the air kill water?
In air, poetry dies.
In water, love dies.
In dusk, darkness is preying my intelligence;
The role of sparrows rising up,
Pats scattering all over the walls.
373
You have not accompanied the winds insects
Nor heard the hunters secret who is sleeping
Like a dawn over the hill,
Dreaming of the dancing sun in the heights.
Who is the one who is waiting the sun in secret,
And who days could not uproot forcibly,
Nor did they bestow him poisonous skin
Or blind heart...?
Who is that who is sleeping,
Bending and curving..
Could it be that Adams apples
Is the likeness of a wave of drowned water?
Its forces aroused by Zeir Salam's reputed love
Or by Let us Stop Here and Cry, the lyric by Amero Kais
Like a memory in the mind.
He saw two birds in the corners of his eyes:
One did not die by the poets arrows,
The other one that did at day
Does disappear
Till becomes a symbol
And turns to be eagerness
Between two hearts,
And a cry suffocating in the lakes hollows.
374
39.
Salma
By Abdel Rahman Ghilan (Yemen)
With you I have ended
Although unsavoring
The taste of beginning.
I rolled my cups,
And dosed,
But my heart never palliated
Nor its flute quivered.
You were a partner of where I harbor
This evening.
A drop of eagerness, I sipped
A drop of fervor,
A drop of death.
Here I am closing my eyes happily,
And I do not know what the tale is.
The love of my traveling heart is
In the cloud of the cup.
My life's mate; a life stud with
With luxury
And despair.
At the door of your breast,
Where I stopped and knelt,
My survival neighed
In you I collected piece by piece
My prayer
In order to voice you a verse of Miracle!
375
40.
Between Your Hands
By Majida Abdel Nabi (Egypt)
Between your hands,
The distances of words quiver,
And tales moan.
Their great heroes come out from their white pages,
Traveling in my bones,
Infuse their eagerness into my pores,
Wakening Narcissus, the sleeper
In the fragments of my green eagerness.
I get lost in you.
O you who are wakeful like a star,
Deep sounding in my wounds like an arrow,
Torturing and afflicting me,
Sucking and casting me away,
On the thresholds of dreams.
Between your hands,
Illusion is Reality
Where my smoldering blood slumbers on it
And reality becomes illusions.
376
41.
The Table of Seasons
By Thora el-Rezouk (Syria)
Last season,
Which died, the sky rained pumpkin seeds;
The land turned into a Structuralistic lake,
And in the ground of waters
Under the plow of seasons,
Hot
Cold,
Hot,
Hot,
Cold, very cold snow, freezing cold .
God sent angels
After Modernism.
I saw the tree of fire
Growing
Without smoke.
At this time
Smoke is the inauguration of fertility,
And land plots to abort fruitful,
Pears, green bananas, and clay.
No hope is left for us,
But to go back to the universal cuisine
To the mature rice,
Mature wheat,
And the usurped land which is more delicious than Cactus of paradise.
377
42.
Identity Card
By Mahmoud Darwish (Palestine)
Record!
I am an Arab,
And my identity card number is fifty thousand,
And I have eight kids
And the ninth one is coming after summer.
Would you be angry?
Record!
I am an Arab
And I work with my fellow labors at a quarry,
And I have eight kids.
I struggle to get them loaf of bread,
Clothes and notebook
From the rocks.
I do not plead for your alms at your door
Nor do I decry at the tiles of your threshold
So, would you be angry?
Record!
I am an Arab.
I am a name without a title,
Patient living in a count ry
Wherein everything that lives in it is outraged
My roots
Had been ingrained before the birth of time
Before the blooming of epochs,
Before the cypress and olive trees,
Before the growing of pasture....
My father is from the family of the plow,
Not from the privileged classes,
And my grandfather was a cultivator,
Neither well-bred nor well-born,
Teaching me the pride of the sun
378
Before teaching me how to read the books.
My house is like a watchmans hut
Made of reeds and canes
Thus, does my status satisfy you?
I am a name without a title.
Record!
I am an Arab,
The color of hair is black,
and the color of eyes is brown.
My distinctive features:
I wear ghatta wigal on my head,
And my palm is solid like a rock.
It scratches whoever touches i t.
My Address:
I am from defenseless and forgotten village
Its streets have no names
And all its men are in the field and the quarry.
My favorite meal
Is olive oil and oregano.
Would you be angry?
Record!
I am an Arab,
You robbed the vines of my ances tors,
And a land I used to cultivate
Along with my children,
And you left nothing for us and for all my grandchildren
But these rocks.
Thus, will your government seize them, as it said?
Therefore,
Record on the top of the first page!
I do not hate people
Nor do I rob others
But if I become hungry
I will eat the flesh of my usurper.
Thus beware
Beware of my hunger
Of my anger.
379
43.
The Lustrous Grief
By Faisl Abdul Waheb Haider (Iraq)
Quench my thirst
From your hands...!
I gulped all the sands of Arabia,
But your figure is vast,
Your suns smolder me.
Keep my lips away
Away from the wells edge.
Your water satisfies my boiling,
And kills me!
Abate my revolt...!
The clans camels stopped and knelt
At the outskirts of my heart, the Host
Yet, no tent among the clans' flocks,
No sign of fire
But, just a moment,
A loaf of bread, I made
With the bleed of my injury, I doughed
The guest-food for the knights, my cousins. So hurry, hand it
Me they loved,
My blood they stabbed
With their daggers.
Say not to me that the hearth of the fire dimmed,
This is my heart.
Take.
The embers of the hearths
A star to guide...
380
44.
Interpretation of the Day
By Faisl Abdul Waheb Haider (Iraq)
A moon in the darkness of the two eyes
Wears the germ of fire,
Bleeds in love,
It is a river of tears and blood.
Winds disperse hearts sails
For the one who boastfully charms!
Who kisses long the roses of the slain.
The stature of death bows
To the words, the fountains,
To the impossible dream.
Weakness in the body;
The soul slumbers out of bounds and borders
The Book of Eternity it recites
381
45.
Widow in a Swamp
By Yousif Shahada (Palestine)
Let her go!
Do not steal her from her swamp!
How she sunk till her ears in its algae and gallstones
How...!
How she ran behind the shepherds of confused clouds
When a wolf thrusts its blood into the face of the earth.
She is the widow of the brunette earth,
The brood of deserts sand.
Ridden thorn
In a tremble of death,
Is thirsty.
She is the lady of the coming death.
She is the lady of darkness,
Hovering with her buttocks like galaxy dust,
Entering the gate of our planet,
A thread in a needle.
382
46.
Not I
By Bilal el-Masri (Lebanon)
Not I ;
Nihility has no shadow to follow .
Your voice which amazes me I do not hear;
The one who is standing between your hands.
If all the trees flowered,
If all the women delayed their autumn,
Your favors would not be of any benef it to him.
Your voice that worries me,
I do not hear.
I am not the mount to send it back to you
Nor am I the abyss to pass me by
Without falling.
Inflict me so I may know your heart, my time.
The one, who stands there, is a mirage.
The one who sits here is not I.
I do not know if I were present or absent.
383
47.
The Dreadful Silence
By Batoul el-Alawi (Morocco)
Why is this dreadful silence?
Are you still thinking of yesterday?
Hesitation and confusion are ascending your facial fe atures.
I cant bear your silence any more.
Talk, do not be many-minded,
Talk, youre the decision maker and the boss.
I beg you, by the truly love and covenants,
Forget not what between us the covenants.
You could be at loggerheads with me
Or you could punish me,
Regarding things I have no hand on,
But I accept not your doubt about my fidelity.
O my sweet heart,
Let not doubt have a place in your heart,
Strangle not our love by your own hands,
Get out of your dreadful silence,
And forget what happened in that day.
Bother not nor care;
What days might us bring,
Think only of love and harmony,
And forget what befalls on us from grief and pain.
My eagerness leads me to you,
Be merciful and stretch your hand for me.
384
48.
Lovers Confessions
By Ali el-Muhammad (Syria)
I want you to be a coat for my winter,
For freezing winter that overwhelming me.
Frost, frost,
All around me,
And youre the wood of winter,
And a flower withering away in my eyes.
My eagerness takes me to you, o woman of madness,
Charms hold me and so does its damned sigh.
Nothing remains from all my breaths
But moans distributed to your neck
Like a Lantern of the night before it was chocked by pallor,
And extinguished by a merciless wind.
Shall I wait your voice or my death?
Oh coat of the wind,
And the murmur of dejected blood
That flows in the veins.
385
49.
Be My Friend
By Sau'ad el-Sabah (Kuwait)
It would be nice if we remained friends
Every woman occasionally needs a friend's palm
And sweet words to hear
Be my friend
I occasionally need to walk on the grass with you
I occasionally need to read a poetry book with you
And I -as a woman- it delights me to hear you
Be my friend
I am desperately in need of a peaceful harbor
As I am so weary of love stories and the news of passion
And so weary of that era which considers woman a marble statue
386
50.
Praying for Fatimas Morn
By Omar Alwi Nasna (Morocco)
This morn wakes up slowly,
Unfastens the fitness pocket of his coat.
Thus the butterflies of heart fly;
All the beasts of the soul run.
This morn drips wine;
All the plants of the heart intoxicate.
They reveal their charms to the light
And divulge to the breast of dawn.
This full morn remembers well,
How the secret is revealed to Fatima,
And how the universe is inscribed on her lust,
As the sea teaches her the names...
This morn preserves for her
All the pigeons the mouth,
And sends her breast a wild horse,
Hence are open all the realms of poetry
All the burnt cities by tears,
And all the temptations of flowers.
387
51.
Questions Outside Class
By Majid el-Barghouthi (Palestine)
The Tank
Who negotiates with the speckled tank?
Bowing
Bowing before Satan is Moderation!
Ha. Do Muslims say so.More so. Perfection it is called?
Honesty's opinion? What? I ask
Democracy and We
If someone like Abu Sufian forms a political opposition party,
Will we live and enjoy democracy?
Peace
Does it exist except in the dictionary?
My Father
Why did not life stop
When my father died?
The Sun of Day
What will remain in the range
If the Day Star disappears?
Before the Beginning
In the beginning was the word
Was silence before the beginning?
388
52.
Various Faces
By Lobna Almanusi (Morocco)
Lisa:
I know that your cello
Is bored by repeating the same tune.
The black butterflies
Strike you with more light.
True.
Your white dresses constricted
Your thinking too un-constricted..!
When fingers spread
Their snails
Unto your indoor spindle.
I know it is necessary
For you to loiter in between the seams
Morsel led by the secrets,
Tossed by the days
Without getting her feet involved
In the game of their invisible gardens.
Lisa:
I know the raw sky
Is like an orange of our coming autumn.
It is still in the correlation
Waiting our scents
And the color of our old desires
389
Edith:
It is not necessary
That the lights of harbors look like us.
We only need music
That can go beyond.
The membrane of the ocean
Rolled Under our fibers.
We need other solar transformations
Under the item
So that sands may not mingle with us
And smear the universe
With females summing-up,
Suitable for creatures,
To interact with,
Coming only from direction of the head.
Farrukh
Alone, the empty sound
Of the Highlights of the curse
Is cruising the Cups of night
With no a hat,
With no a female,
Or
A handful of darkness,
Down he falls
Down
390
53.
To the Poetess "Scent me!"
By Said Kan (Libya)
Scent me!
For I need some
Of the spray of jasmines.
Sprinkle the fragrance of
Daisies
Around me!
Besiege me!
Transform the poems to clouds of nectar
Around me,
And shower me..!
I heard so much poetry,
But
Not as sweet as hearing you.
You turn the letter into a perfume
When it comes out from your lips.
So pardon me!
I am the mad of poetry.
Then accept
My madness!
391
54.
Spaces
By Mohammed Shadi Keskin (Syria)
Here I am,
Your vision haunts me.
Alone, like an enigma,
I watch through my window
Spaces,
And walls besieging me.
Thus I close my eyes with no my lashes,
Awake with no a moon,
Depart with no journey...
I write to you my sighs
Upon the hymn of sleeplessness
With the ink of my tears
That is my worry.
That is my messenger:
So, take
the lineaments of the sorrow of my drowning.
Take away my despair, take away my vain,
And whatsoever dirt myself has.
Take me like a melody
On the swing of destiny.
I pass the avenue
With no foot,
No step,
No travel...!
I, along with the age of universe, my age be.
My ambition towards you is eternity;
Does my eternity have no trace?
392
I am the moments of those who died without a reason,
And lived without a purpose.
Time and I are in war.
What I blame my age for,
Unless it increases sleeplessness,
Unless I live in danger.
I wake on pain,
And slumber not without pain.
I am billion dilemmas;
The universes illusion is one side,
The hell of my concern is on the other side.
Fire and I are in my pulse,
Life with no Void.
I am so acquainted with lifes misfortunes.
They do not make my foot quaver...!
Then how comes now the Leech of time
Asks me,
What my illness was,
Do I bestrew my wounds
My spaces?
Will I tell him about the past,
About the memory I live for?
Will I tell him
That I am a string with no playing.
An error with no apology.
In my rebellion, I am a wrath
That touches in secret my weakness.
My wound and I are in my fate.
I always gather
My bleeding
But when my traveling to you
Comes,
Be sure,
I will scream o my self enough!
I inundated with blood my history,
And tore my times,
And saluted farewell my mates to their graves,
While I force my tear to hide.
And this soul?
In my palm hand
I will Yell: O my self Enough!
393
55.
Images Mirrors
By Layila Ibrahim (Saudi Arabia)
I beg the darkness of the night,
And slumber.
The moons light is pecking
At my fantasy,
Thus the image drips.
To the image, a glow that ignites the fire of emotions
To the mirrors of image, a glis ten of light.
In the image,
You, a meadow of roses,
Your perfume, I
To the image, the softness of the breeze,
And the chirp of dews.
A Legendary Princess is that image
As wearing the diamond of ecstasy
Night sprinkles the attar of its soul for the images neigh,
Enrapturing the stars, as the galaxy celebrates
The melody
Of the charming image.
Dawn grows in the nights heart,
Its fruits pour down,
And light ascends the forehead of the range and transcends
Wakefulness extinguishes, thus t he image blurs.
394
56.
Strangers
By Muhammed el-Muaghout (Syria)
Our tombs are dark on the hill
And the night is falling into the valley
Moving between snow and trenches
And my father returns murdered on his golden horse.
From his feeble chest,
Rises the cough of the frosts
And the rustle of the broken wheels
And the lost groan among the rocks
Chanting a new song for the lost man...
For the blond children and the dead cattle on the rocky bank
Oh Broken mounts by snow and rocks,
Oh river that accompanies my father in his expatriation,
Let me extinguish like a candle before the wind
Writhe like water around the ship.
For lo! Pain spreads its treacherous wing
And the hanging death on the horse's waist,
Penetrates into my chest like a glimpse of an adolescent girl
Like the sigh of the severe wind.
395
57.
Between You and I
By Ibrahim el-Kahwaji (Morocco)
Between you and me
Between you and me, the God,
And the flowers of September,
And brochures for the anniversary,
And chalk of dreams,
And faces inhabiting memory
Stretching out
My temptations in your eyes,
And the cities of your grief...
Women from Ashes
For the hands of chalk and bread
This anthem,
For the beautiful the forgotten between the flowers.
Your day comes weary:
A day that that you bury in a day.
Suffering enshrouds your heart in ashes
Then the Sunday the calm has come.
The Bird that doesn't Talk to me
Before you rise as a shining body in my sky,
I used to watch it,
Waiting ignites in a tragedy,
Death touring near me!
396
58.
A Moon on the Sidewalks of the Dejected
By Rifky Asaf (Jordan)
The space constricts me
And night looses breezes from its locks that never sleep.
In summer dreams gulls are the size of the memory of the spars and the sail...
As for the sun is kohl in the eye and expatriation surging with its gray shadow
On the thresholds.
Perfume that blended with fondness, if you know,
Has no pride.
The pavements are cold where the good ones gallivant
Death is pure, preserving vagina, protecting rain from the Narcissus slips
The Closed doors are homelands that have the color of groans of the transients
In the narrow streets
And Amman drinks its exhaustion at the door of an old bar in Al -Wabideh Mount
We were walking,
And Allah loved us
We were carrying the wall on our shoulders to take refuge from the springs of
perfume which hailed us
To execute the supreme virtue
The poor were passing by under the trees
Bowing their statures
And saluting others
397
Peace on the books lying on the floor, sick after they had forgotten their titles.
Conjunctivitis eats the eye of the stands owner who has not slept since a minaret
passed by
Who echoed, from behind, the Lords name
Who exalted His name
In Raghadan main bus station
So many dead ones died..
The barefooted ones were scurrying over the hot asphalt
And sleeping on the same cold pavement
And wrapping themselves in a newspaper hardly they cared about its name
Or the news about Byzantine that fell becau se the monks were asking for the
gender of the angels
Or the news of Nebuchadnezzar
Or Cyrus or Ahmadinejad or Wane Rooney
Or the sand where the naked women from a different place sleep as the sun is no
longer for free
The cafes are
Selling sleep
The same of price of the cup of flavored tea
That chills like the cold blood in the veins
Before the lad took to drink it, he had embraced the black -pale bag like his soul
Which is full of metal and humans limbs collected from gazes brimful of
arrogance
And the Jeans- Buttocks
The sea is not blue
This is another lie
Color is but the reflection of the sky and the refraction of light ..
And the breaking of the sad hearts at the doors of the hotels that have monopolized
the beaches
And the Tears monopolized the salt
Here...
Even the seas die
The poor
Borrow a sea
A window
And a vast tomb
On a dull corner crowded with paces
Crowd has its solemnity
As ants have
398
You can not count the passersby nor can you scrutinize their faces
Nor can you perceive the reason why they appear one whose face keeps repeating
Why they are neither so
Cloud has no friends
Because the short friendship doesnt last
It disappears in the sad memory of cello phones which thrown in worn pockets
Disappears in a form of weeping in the bosoms of those who can not keep a
memory in their pockets save that of food
And they roam the asphalt embellished with roses, embroidered with tires of a
womans car which shouldn't run on earth
The night was betraying my image in the mirror
As was my voice in the echo of the corridors
The night was deluding the curtains' ghosts into believing that heart is as white as
a flock of white pigeons
At the door of the city
The prophets stood in the queue of Deportees and departed
399
59.
Allah
By Mustafa Murad (Palestine)
You are always with me,
Guarding my weary forehead,
And my days that are smashed by my doubts
On the wings of question.
Oh God,
You planted me in
The Four Directions...!
Crucified without angles,
While the borders were overflowing, overflowing,
You said:
Come forward or talk!
The horizons are closed gates,
And the bottom is an abyss
Beyond reach.
I know you in my denial,
Running to you with my recklessness.
Oh God,
In the misery of the wandering truth
I behold you...!
400
In the torment of experience,
I heard you
A whisper
With stunned breaths
Dripping in my dumb ear -shots
A light melting in my eyes,
A river of longing and yearning,
Gathering me,
Gathering my things and pieces,
Guarding
My scattered paces,
And weary forehead...
Oh God,
I did not bow
Nor did I grieve
As long as does a pulse still beat in me,
Telling my pulse:
Grieve not nor be afflicted
God is with us.!
401
60.
I write
By Sulaf Abbas (Tunisia)
I write because writing is not an amulet
I write so that earth will not cleave and swallow me
I write while the tree is rooting
I write in senility and in anticipation
I write because no one can prevent me writing
I write before getting blind
I write because I feel pi ty for clerks
I write in order to be closer or farther
I write so that I wont give up hope
I write with them
I write because I like papers
I write because I loathe words
I write when the nights ends
I write so that I may get rid of the hell of wri ting
I write as I refuse myth and magic
I write so that I may possess all the words
I write as I am helpless before death
I write so that others will read me
I write so that I may hide words and create other words
I write hoping to leap into emptines s
I write as I want to find a solution for death
I write to the alive
I write as I am afraid
I write because I can not stop writing
I write so that I may love myself and others
I write and overlook the gap
I write and think
I write at all the musical times
I write in loneliness
I write the night
I write for writing
I write because writing is a dream
I write as writing is something of no avail
I write as I reject fate
I write as words oppress me
402
I write because I start to fear loneliness
I write because I am against rationalism
I write so that I may live
I write because I am most of the times silent
I write then I laugh so much
I write because I am alive
I write as writing the only reaction that makes me realize that I m free
I write so that I may get rid of my being
I write so that I may not go insane
I write because I like words
I write because I am in hurry and I have no time
I write because I like books
I write against them
I write while I am in history
I write while I am jumping into the emptiness
I write against your will
I write after lifting the hawser
I write so that I may look for something which doesnt exist
I write while I am threatened
I write as long as the war still goes on
I write so that I go astray
I write while words are escaping from me
I write because I am neither goods nor considered only shameful genitals
I write because I am in the maze
I write with black ink
I write, write so that I can ignite the fire
I write in the morning
I write under loss
I write till the sun rises
I write as writing is a reaction which is not ruled by necessity
I write as I am against all kinds of Authority
I write since writing is not sacred
I write along with death
I write the desire not its subject
I write after reading
I write my disagreement
I write so that I may play
I write because Im deviant
I write and I do not want to defend the man as he is not weak
I write so that I may not be like her
I write so that I may not commit suicide
I write while all this space is before me
403
61.
migr
By Reem el-Ban (Yemen)
I am an Arab who was torn apart by my Arabism.
My homeland tore my national identity,
And changed my personal profile
From a good citizen
To a tourist- nothing more.
I return to my homeland,
Embrace its choppy waves like my feelings,
Deep like my sorrow,
I shake my hand with its clear sky like my childhood.
My homeland did not discern me.
It instilled its index finger in my wounds inflamed with compassion till
Hemorrhage.
Miserable, I left it.
It is no longer a homeland
Nor am I a good citizen.
I left with one saying in my head which I keep repeating:
If your home constricts you,
The world will not be too wide for you to have in!
404
62.
Scenes
By Fatima el-Hamzawi (Tunisia)
The First Scene
The curtain is lifted up,
His face scintillates
In her palm hand,
Luscious as dream
Hot as her breaths.
Thus her eyes are washed with light
And cherry germinates
On the lips.
..
She pulls the quilt of his voice to her shoulders
And dreams
The Second Scene
The paces rupture
Slowly
On the asphalt,
The fragments injure
The flesh of oblivion.
Far away, far away she keeps on going.
She treads on the clamor of the sand
With her weary feet,
And feeds night
The crumbs of the tale,
And before the wave shows its jaws,
She dives in the Moons face
And keeps on dreaming.!
405
The Third Scene
On the other bank,
The arrogant fate sits brashly,
Listening to the whisper of the branches
And the gossip of the hopes
He abrades his fingers,
Cracking them,
Then goes quite
For awhile.
The Last Scene
Behind silence (as a caravan in procession)
(A woman's cloister hooded) in black is swinging.
Tonight,
Roses will be wedded
To seasons they do not like.
They leave their dreams
On the threshold of dawn,
And move ahead without any tears.
This is I.
Woe unto you, god, from my iris.
O you who resides in the lung of blackness,
570
It is my eyes that rain black coffee over you.
Tomorrow you will pee in the arteries of Exotic Chantoli.
A witness to the Page of profanity I come to you.
My comfort is fraught with whiteness,
And this night is dishonoring of the Sunset,
And tomorrow is the meeting with Garcia,
And the day after I will pee in the alphabets quiver and meet wit h the mirage.
O shore, loosen the buttons of your shirt
For I will come to you shrinking from lust
So that I may dissolve my ink in you,
And keep you a witness to my wound...my uglinessand the gods virtue.
Oh river
This is meso place your toast near mine,
And dink your anthem in my glassy basement...!
Tomorrow I will bring to you a teeth brush to wash the back of time from the panic
of Hulagu.
Oh Omission,
This is mewho is Isis while Scheherazade is residing in my balcony
Selling me a blind date with the breasts of water
Thus water me, O thirsty garden, so that I may fixate some details of the meeting.
O thirst let me vomit my gap over the breasts of joy,
And sell my iris to a night,
And let me suck the foam of Satire from Garcia Marqu ezs mouth,
Let me break the oars of Language and ride the Omission to cross the ocean,
leaning on the characters of langue.
Sorry ... Im just affluence whose nectar dried out!
571
170.
Because You are Fantastic
By Hassan Hegazy (Egypt)
Because you are fantastic
As a dream,
The cheek of roses, as
Like the dew of the morning,
When it lovely spread the parcels of silver
On the face of morning
I love you!
I have made my age
A poem of love
To sing for your eyes
A necklace of
Sincerity for your sake.
Because I love silence
I love you in silence!
Do you know that
You are fantastic
As a dream!
572
171.
Passage to Exile
By Adnan el-Sayegh (Iraq)
(Translated by Abbas Kadhim)
The moaning of the train kindles the sorrow of the tunnels
Roaring along the rails of everlasting memories
While I am nailed to the window
With one half of my heart
And the other half on the table
Playing poker with a girl whose thighs are exposed
With shock and pain, she asks
Why my fingers are falli ng apart,
Like the wood of old coffins,
And hasty, as if they are afraid of not being able to grab anything
I tell her about my homeland
And the banners
And colonization
And the glory of the Nation
And the sex in public bathrooms
Then she leans, with her wet hair, over my tears,
And does not understand
While, in the other corner
Mozart scatters his tones over the snow-covered valleys
My homeland is sad beyond necessity
And my songs are aggressive, refractory, and shy
I will stretch out on the first sidewalk I reach in Europe
And hold my legs up for the pedestrians
To show them the traces of school bastinados, and the ones from jails
Those that got me here
What I carry in my pocket is not a passport
573
But a history of oppression
Where, for fifty years, we have been chewing animal diet
And speeches
And hand-made cigarettes
As we stand before the gallows
Watching our own hanging corpses
And applauding the rulers
Out of fear for our families
Whose files fill the basements of secret -service buildings
Where the homeland
Begins with the presidents speech
And ends with the presidents speech
And in between, there are the presidents streets, the presidents songs, the
presidents museums, the presidents gifts, the presidents trees, the presidents
factories, the presidents newspapers, the presidents stable, the presidents clouds,
the presidents boot camps, the presidents statues, the presidents bakeries, the
presidents medals, the presidents mistresses, the presidents schools, the
presidents farms, the presi dents weather, the presidents orders
She will stare for a long time
At my rain and spit moistened eyes
Then she will ask: What country are you from?!
574
172.
Addressing the Walls
By Manal Ali Bin Amro (UAE)
I was delving
A place in your heart
To contain the seed of love
And crying so that my reality may grow within you
I stained my nails with the remnants your women
I suffocated by the by the smell of treason
Negligence liquefies me till
Loosing a spirit that
Used to know elation
How could you instill hope
Decorate the trees of feast
And bestow a homeland upon me
And then you leave?
I address the walls
Injuring my wrist with your rusted knife
Colouring lifes course
I abhor that moment
When water becomes
The colour of regret
575
173.
The Squirrels
By Idris Aloush (Morocco)
(Translated by Khaloud el -Muttalibi)
In the twilight, the rebellious squirrels
Amuse themselves
On the pavement, dense
Flimsy boughs penetrate
And leave me on my own
576
174.
The Night
By Idris Aloush (Morocco)
(Translated by Khaloud el -Muttalibi)
Two candles
Borrow an interval of light
It is the night that uncovers
part of the night's lonel iness in my hand
Defeats me
A vision of a woman forcibly
migrating with dismissed dreams
But
The exile of night
And a howdah of a bar
only these spurt
The ashes in my eyes
Perhaps I wake up....!
577
175.
A Fall
By Idris Aloush (Morocco)
(Translated by Khaloud el-Muttalibi)
There is a veranda
That flirts with the night's lamp
And down below a lonely ant
Crosses the alley
Over there
My dreams were collapsing
Like pieces of ice
Slowly
Slowly
Slowly
578
176.
The Fingers of Heaven
By Dalia el-Salih (Syria)
The ornamental meadows of lie
Embellish you, my homeland.
I am piled up with stacks of memory.
The fantasies of heaven are queued;
Waiting eternity to horse them around...
I sipped the wine of fear
From the mirror of tranquility.
I thought color would die.
I was astonished to find it
Passing through the window of the fate...
Eternity inscribes its letters over my face.
Shadows bloom in foliage in my sun
So that the range may articulate me.
Days are passing by like my shadow...
My homeland forsook me
When the heavy mist surpassed in my mind.
The fingers of heaven passed over my back.
I will sing in spite of all the meadows of pain.
I will sing,
And get closer to you
So that you may divulge the prophecy of my wound.
579
177.
Paring Down the Violet
By Layila el-Said (Bahrain)
From the egg of the violet
A bird comes out
Burnt
His grief
Is all sails to go
To color the sun in purple
Folds it with a sail
Of the lights butterflies
Has not been a delight in the violets
In stirring the beginning of my creating?
He wiggles around me
And casts my poetry
A lace
For a temple
Besieging a poet
And gods
I long for the bird of the violet
To smell his aroma in every valley
Thus I find myself wandering
Followed by the Temptation
Extemporizing a color
Out of a playing of my Moon
I am still alive
As the violet
Flatters my clay
580
178.
Seizures of the Solitude
By Mohammed el-Fakhari (Morocco)
Emigrant,
I walk between the walls of si esta;
Your memory carries me
Whenever the night enshrouds me...
Emigrant,
I stand at the ruins of charisma
And so grief swathes me
As if it were the first time.
Come closer,
O seizures of the solitude,
For I am squeezing
The first seeds from you...!
Grasping my fate,
I chase your sorrow,
My sweet princess,
Everywhere
Everywhere...!
Being prejudiced to my view,
581
I wander in your eyes.
Thus I can not resist,
But to engrave your name
On every tongue...!
Wait awhile,
O seizures of the solitude,
For I am still spilling
Some cups from you...!
Displeased,
I leave the fountains of harshness.
My thirst for Loneliness
Quenches me...
Eager,
As a pillow, I take the sidewalk of the ecstasy,
And sleep like a baby,
Dreaming of freedom. ..
Stay away a bit,
O seizures of the solitude,
I have sipped the last drops of you...!!!!
582
179.
Dates
By Lubna el-Manwzi (Morocco)
The dates which are arranged by a cloud
In the Caf's pots,
The piano scatters them.
The Dates which roll us up
To the places of light,
Precisely behind the head,
Where the swing is a word
That throws us up,
What remains from them and us
Names uttered by ghosts.
Outside time.
583
180.
The Martyrs Wedding
By Mohammed Amari (Morocco)
From the heart of Java,
A tale a bout a woman
Was born
Who adores the rocks,
Embellishing them with
The inability of Arabs Clans.
The oppression of the Clans of the west
Presenting them
To the child of boldness
To the child of martyrdom
His cloud a bat sails through
He carries a Grin
For the crosses of the borders
Riding
The neigh of the night
Drawing
The Martyrs wedding
Fading
Pulsing
Between the Graves
584
181.
Diary of the Lost King
By Ahmed Abu Ridan (Jordan)
I with the mate in my caravan
Piece by piece
Putting the provisions to the fireside
Making the supper for my wine-companions' just wake
And as the earth rolls us at night
I attempt gaining back a lost reign
That may devour all mirages off my head
Only then the howling of wolves would have sense
Perhaps, if I get to reality
This space will narrow
And a remote fire though small will set my escape to ablaze
I, as the way ahead is so long,
Confide to my mate-in-concern
As the Pleiades throbs their naps at the night's tip
Like a poem the heart unfolds verse by verse
Hence only my blood is left !
To shed, to shun me all this traveling and Death
I reveal to them the passion of my vengeance,
Thus, my companions doze highly pleased.
The crackling of fire explodes in my chest
Cracking a dream dissected among
Childhood, poetry
Pretty women.
Memories rebel against my livery
As a nap takes me
To the most delightful time of my life
To what passed in the arid years.
I carry the sadness of the poem,
585
Climbing its lengthened shade,
Opening a window broken by autumn winds,
A would-be route
Where I release a flood of emotions.
I mutter, agitated as a thin cloud
When the wind blows
"Be attentive of that is to come
Riding on the horse of sand and lighting".
So I am all in wonderful passion.
"O. Heap your sins one over another!
You are remiss for not knowing
That I trudged traveling from north to south
Finding nothing but grief
Similar to Jacob's sorrow,
When they threw Joseph in the well to die".
My Companions weep.
Now the camels are ready to move
On sandy paths,
Observing the rituals of my exile
To quit all people
I vow I alone will avenge
For my father's blood
Though he prevented me
From reciting poems,
And expelled me from the tribe
As the deposed.
But when the swords took him to a stranger
I was baptized in blood and wine,
In sight of gods who abhorred me.
Vowing to gouge all the eyes,
Engraving his image on all the ribs !
Until then who is to dislodge the sword off its sheath
And fill the wound with salt until it is cured?
In the past, I used to thirst
To flee away, be homeless
My nourishment the poem,
My camel, and the buxom virgins clad in the Damascene silk,
The sorrow of the poor.
I am of one mind
Since I was a child so inquisitive,
I would be killed!
586
182.
Within Me a Desire for Life
By Latifa Qari (Saudi Arabia)
Come and let us rouse the heart of life
Within us a longing
And within us insanity
And within us a defeat
And within us a lust
Come and let us rouse the silence of winter
Sad and depressed is the morning nectar
Extinguished is the face of this morning
It never occurs to it to come
Near the fire
Or its blaze
From the appeal of branches which are mature now
Till evanescence
Till downing
And within me a desire to sip the talk
Thus, say
And then say
The river becomes silence in my body
To the daylight which is embellished with Jasmine
And flows towards the thirsty veins
And towards the papers
587
It knows that spring is short
And after spring the day all long --
A vastness for wandering around
On a hill of lust, among the many
Oh my darling
I have, like this morning,
Love seasons
For this uneasiness
Within me a desire up roaring to cuddle
Within me a fervor to ascend horizon
But I am among all the deprived
Dream alone
Heavily breathe alone
All alone, suffering from the sleeplessness of the veins
Only then the glorious sunset comes
And out of the sleeplessness
The aurora fire sustains.
588
183.
The Window of Wind
By Nouara Lahrash (Algeria)
Life a festival of grief
Of wind.
Leaf by leaf
The pleasures are falling
From the trees of Time, the howling
From my voice, the wounded
Who would play, amidst the spin of the waste,
The pleasure tunes, even but trifles?
Then the heart becomes as huge as an area of water
Then the absent sparrow of the morn shines as a sun
Who would come to play, then?
No one. None!
And no strings but the strings of wind!
O. Lo! The thorns of autumn
In the mirrors of my forehead burgeon
And the trees of time, the howling,
Me under the shade hooding.
All fruits and ripe, my bleeding.
In the heart
No strings but the strings of wind
589
184.
Love Poem for Palestine
By Munir Mezyed (Romania)
We were wrapped in divine dreams,
Plucking the rose of creation,
Sipping the luscious nectar,
Drinking the toast of love,
Feeling that moment of invisible touch,
Living in fairy tales,
Singing and dancing all day,
Wakened on the voice of madness,
The chaos of the bad time
And the ruins of this era...
The trees stand all alone,
Naked, mournful,
Mewing with thirst and desire,
And the pasture is bored of humans absurdity...
In the sky the stars are still flickering;
And they do not know anything
About the man who forgets them...!
O My love,
My soul weeps
My heart is heavy and cold...
As despair drags you to the edge of doom
I will slay death,
Murder this madness
That hides in cave of sorrows,
And burn this fate,
Take you away from the isle of hell
To a place where none could see us but God...
I will not surrender to this fate
Nor will I declare it a defeat
590
For Lo! You are the spring and winter of that hell,
The only sleepy light on the sea velvet..
O my love,
You are my pain and joy,
The night when it bestrews its secrets,
The day when the sun weaves the wreaths,
The Sanity and insanity,
You are my wine, cup, and poesy....
Your love has implanted me
Frosts of joy and grief,
Taught me how to draw gods face,
And drawn me a reckless child...
O my love
The sparrows out there still sing
On the branches of lips
Calling your name..
Your perfume still emanates in the sprits ether,
Intoxicating the heaven of poetry and dreams...
Memories are flock of Swallows, nesting the eyelids
Roses of spirit are withering away,
And sad rain pours down in my heart,
As images of fear chase me,
Invading,
Residing in my mind,
Imprinting
The Image of old woman digging,
Searching
The tombs of nostalgia...
For her lost youth
Embrace me!
Leaning on walls of anticipation,
Dreams, shattered,
Color my vision
With colors of pain
Loneliness devours me
Darkness invades my fantasy
591
Embrace me !
Take the thorns of bitterness
From my bosom
Pluck the Sun from your eyes..
Lead me to behold light
Gather the Diaspora of my expatriation
Sprinkle it in your eyes
Then let me sleep in palm of dream
For I have nothing but this warmth
And This tendency toward myth
592
Love is bliss, hate is a curse
Munir Mezyed
593
185.
Palestine and the Dream
By Munir Mezyed (Romania)
A crazy sadistic moment
Unannounced
A sadistic anger erupted
The lamps of love extinguished
The heart became void
And shrivelled
O, my country
Which is kneaded with blood and fire
What toil that awaits us
What pain
Is there more sorrow after this
Death copulates with our futile thinki ng
Daily, we give birth to
A thousand new tragedies
The youths of dreams aged before its time
Dawn hid inside a speckled serpent
Bitter malice became our cause
O, my country
Which bird will find a nest
Which butterfly will find a flower
These days are inhabited by chaos
Wrestling before your eyes
594
Oh, my country
I am your voice
The voice of the tortured and compelled
Ponder upon the tears of the orphaned and the bereaved
The hearts of the hungry and the poor
Look how many cowards and traitors
Held the slogan of your freedom
Arranged the fights amongst brothers
Under the cover of darkness
Escaped and hid
I wonder if Karbala had come back
And our dreams became a mirage
O, my country
I lost everything
And I was not able
To lose my memory
And to stop dreaming and singing
Song is everything
It has an immortal spirit and a wing
Every night it sleeps in your cradle
O, my country
Everything comes to an end
Reality disappears
Yet the dream of return remains forever
Circulating amongst the stars
Weaving the threads of freedom
Roaming like a luminous halo
In the darkness, however it intensifies
Talking to the sons through the skies stars
About a country
Still awaiting the return of the birds to their nests
595
Love begets love and eliminat es evil
Munir Mezyed
596
186.
Journey to the Unseen
By Munir Mezyed (Romania)
I dedicate this poem to the great poets:
El-Maari, Dante, Milton, Pushkin, Baudelaire, Rimbaud, Eminescu, Tagore, who
made the blind see, the deaf hear, and the dumb speak, b y opening the gate of
poetry garden where we can pluck the roses of eternity. I hope this poem will be a
blessing for those who preach love and peace, a curse for those who beat the war
drums.
Avid for the unseen
I contemplate.
Falling in the entrance,
My soul feels utter ecstasy,
Entering the gates of heaven
Wrapped in celestial lace
Embellished with stars,
Followed by a choir of angels singing,
Leading me to the mighty throne
Mesmerized,
I prostrate
Feeling tranquility in my spirit,
I hear a voice coming out of the corona
Saying:
"I bless thee.
Upon thee I bestow my mercy,
Exalting thee,
Placing thee in the heights,
Choosing thee
Among my beloved ones!
But, before entering the eternal garden,
Joining the others
Let thee pass through all the gates,
And behold my reward, my penalty,
My blessing, my wrath!"
Thus my journey begins
597
Walking
Over a bridge of mist
Colored with the colors of a rainbow,
I hear wailing and screaming.
Looking down,
I see men and women swi mming
In a sea of lava,
Eating magma,
Drinking tar
Traumatized, I stand still,
Wishing I had wings
Afraid of falling down,
I pray
The mist mounts, howls,
Encircling me
I struggle, but in vain
I surrender.
Drowning in a vortex of clouds,
Falling loosely into the deep,
I find myself in a massive cave
Enshrouded,
Walled with fire and smoke.
Upon the walls,
Naked men and women are nailed.
I run, filled with terror and fear,
Running in a labyrinth of crematory
With their wails deafeni ng my ears
A woman in the form of a peahen
Appears
I start to follow, chasing her.
As fast as she can run,
I run faster after her.
When I am about to take hold of her,
The feathers scatter around,
Illuminating
Grasping the feathers,
I find myself
On an ivory colored peak
With a hand full of feathers
Looking for the woman,
I behold her, as snowflakes
Vanishing
I look down
598
The sky is a crimson carpet
Spread over the sea
The sun and stars are balls of fire,
Burning away.
The moon is a hearth of dust and ashes
Scattered
I spy an isle
Sighing,
Say, "My adoring mother!"
Smell its fragrance emanating,
Feel its breeze blowing,
I close my eyes, take a deep breath
A cry comes from my spirit,
"This is Eden, thy promised gar den."
My heart leaps for joy
Suddenly,
I see people on that isle
Sprinkling sands on their heads,
Ravens hovering over them.
Then I see Christ on his awful cross
Bleeding,
Muhammad fleeing Mecca to Medina
For his safety,
Buddha traveling as a st ranger,
Hungry and weary,
Socrates forced to gulp the poison,
Che Guevara wanted,
Chased and hunted
Lorca being cut into pieces
Artists trading their paintings
For bread,
Poets reciting poetry for the deaf
I weep, and say,
"This must be a night mare."
But the cry comes back again,
"Rejoice,
Open thy hand,
Let the feathers scatter!"
As I bestrew them,
A giant bird appears before me
I leap onto its back,
Riding it
As we land,
599
The bird becomes a woman.
Everything returns to its visible form,
The sky
Sea
Sun and the stars
The isle is in utter intoxication,
Pregnant with delight
Her soil sprinkled with dew
Constantly,
Having intercourse with water.
The sky suckles, clothes her.
The sun dazzles her with its golden hair.
The moon inspires her to dream,
To weave tales and myths
The sea, a dancing hall,
Enlivens the stars to dance
Where Mermaids play on their water harps
And nightingales sing.
I pluck a rose,
Kneeling before her, propose
Jumping up and down,
Screaming with joy, I dance.
We build a hut to live in,
A temple in which to pray for God's blessings,
A boat for fishing
Living in perfect harmony,
Plucking roses,
Watering, harvesting the fields,
We sing and dance
No fear, no tears, no nightmares!
The devil, becoming jealous,
Cautiously,
Incites the skunks,
Serpents,
Wolves
To bang the drums of hate
I see light
In the form of a man
Packing his luggage
Ready to leave.
But, before leaving,
Darkness comes in and slays him.
Thus the gates of Hades open,
600
The devil and all his servants come out.
Riding on dragons, armed,
Arrayed with wild beasts,
Monsters,
Led by the devil,
Hydra and trolls,
They spew out their poisons,
And their fires, fueled by hate,
Leaving behind ruins upon ruins.
They burn the sea, the sky
Slay life, polluting the spirits,
Kidnapping the sun,
Raping the moon!
I wake up with smoke and ashes,
Crying: "Paradise is lost!"
While the face of the devil,
With skunks, serpents,
Wolves, trolls
Still haunt me!
Yet, I praise Allah for showing me the peril of hell
Which they will all inherit!
601
Tolerance: The pattern of all virtues
Munir Mezyed
602
APPENDIX
PAGE THE CONTENTS
307 Abdul-Settar Al-Assady Foreword Prof.
310 Abdul-Settar Al-Assady Introduction Prof.
ANTHOLOGY THE POEMS OF THE
Page
Nos Country Names of the Poets Titles of the Poems
Poem
Nos
317 Romania Munir Mezyed O, My Homeland 1
318 Iraq Maha el-Khatib Only for You 2
320 S.Arabia Layila Ibrahim Cup of Coffee and Female's Appeal 3
322 Morocco Hassan Khashab A Call of Return 4
323 Tunisia Salih el-Soisi Situations 5
324 Palestine Suhail el-Isawi Letter to My Mother 6
325 Iraq Badr Shakir el-Sayyab The Rain Song 7
330 Algeria Haneen Omar Three Scenes from Memos of 9
Sad Man
331 Algeria Lamis Sa'aidi The Main Road 10
332 Syria Bahija Massri Adelbi I Pray Behind my Shadow 11
333 Egypt Mahmood Suliman I'll Get my Bags Ready to Travel 12
335 Morroco Ahmad el-Attar My Mother 13
336 Iraq Mahmood el-Braikan The Manner of Sand 14
337 Tunisia Fatima el-Hamzawi The Female (infant) Buried Alive 15
339 Palestine Mustafa Murad As at Night 16
340 Palestine Mustafa Murad For You 17
341 Jordan Nasir Badwan The Half Truth 18
343 Jordan Nasir Badwan Larks of Love 19
344 Egypt Ahmad el-Khial The Principles of Lust 20
346 Iraq Buland el-Haidari Old Age 21
347 Syria Mazin el-Najjar Near the Edge 22
349 Egypt Kamal Aref The Hurricanes of One Female 23
350 Morocco Omar Alwi Nasna She, the Dawn and I 24
351 S.Arabia Aisha Mohammed For Your Sake 25
353 Qatar Soad el-Kwuari I Glimmer Like Pine Forest 26
355 Morocco Mohammed el-Laghafi Not in Our Capability 27
356 Syria Nizar Qabbani Letter from Under the Water 28
603
359 Palestine Suhail el-Isawi One Year since Separation 29
360 Libya Ali el-Sari I Lose My Mouth While you Smile 30
362 Palestine Nidal Hamed Normal Death 31
363 Egypt Majida Abdel Nabi A Grain of Joy is Enough 32
364 Romania Munir Mezyed Jamal Abdul Nasser 33
365 Romania Munir Mezyed Proverb
366 Morocco Ahmad el-Attar Excessive Outbursts 34
367 Egypt Salih Abdel Sabour The Ordeal Tune 35
368 Morocco Mohamad el-Salih el- Gharisi The First Game 36
370 Morocco Sanaa Cheddal Fragments 37
371 Morocco Aziz el-Gharbawi Dreaming of the Sun 38
373 Yemen Abdel Rahman Ghilan Salma 39
374 Egypt Majida Abdel Nabi Between Your Hands 40
375 Syria Thora el-Rezouk The Table of Seasons 41
376 Palestine Mahmoud Darwish Identity Card 42
378 Iraq Faisl Abdul Waheb Haider The Lustrous Grief 43
379 Iraq Faisl Abdul Waheb Haider Interpretation of the Day 44
380 Palestine Dr.Yousif Shahada Widow in a Swamp 45
381 Lebanon Bilal el-Masri Not I 46
382 Morocco Batoul el-Alawi The Dreadful Silence 47
383 Syria Ali el-Muhammad Lover's Confessions 48
384 Kuwait Sau'ad el-Sabah Be My Friend 49
385 Morocco Omar Alwi Nasna Praying for Fatima's Morn 50
386 Palestine Majid el-Barghouthi Questions Outside Class 51
387 Morocco Lobna Almanusi Various Faces 52
389 Libya Said Kan To the Poetess of 'Scent Me' 53
390 Syria Mohammed Shadi Keskin Spaces 54
392 S.Arabia Layila Ibrahim Image's Mirrors 55
393 Syria Muhammed el-Muaghout Strangers 56
394 Morocco Ibrahim e-Kahwaji Between You and I 57
395 Jordan Rifky Asaf A Moon on the Sidewalks 58
of the Dejected
398 Palestine Mustafa Murad Allah 59
400 Tunisia Sulaf Abbas I Write 60
402 Yemen Reem el-Ban Emigre 61
403 Tunisia Fatima el-Hamzawi Scenes 62
405 Egypt Amel Donkol The Two Green Eyes 63
406 Morocco Munir Awald el-Jilali The Mirror 64
407 Egypt Izzet el-Tiri Not Very Sad Poems 65
408 Romania Munir Mezyed Abdel Halim Hafiz 66
409 Romania Munir Mezyed Proverb
410 Syria Hassan el-Raey The Chess 67
411 Jordan Nasir Badwan The Cup of Secret 68
412 Tunisia Hayat el-Rayis Verse 69
414 Egypt Hassan Hegazy I Love you More! 70
416 Morocco Muhammad el-Manori Venus 71
604
417 Morocco Ahmad el-Attar In Brief 72
418 Palestine Lubna el-Shalabi Your Laugh 73
419 Morocco Munir Awald Al-Jilali Nadeta 74
420 Morocco Nawal el-Salih The Trembles of Fingers 75
421 Iraq Faisal Abdul Wahab Haider The Precursors of Death 76
422 Egypt Ahmed Fadl Shablool A Sunrise Train 77
423 Morocco Assma Garib Star's Candlestick 78
424 Syria Bahija Masri Adalbi Laws 79
425 S. Arabia Ali Zahrani Pouring 80
426 Lebanon Hadia el-Abdullah Who are you? 81
427 Tunisia Mohammad Ali Hani The Sweetest Poems 82
428 Bahrain Ali el-Jallawi If Only the Boy had been 83
a Stone
430 Palestine Fadwa Tokan I Will Not Cry 84
432 Syria Subhi Niall The Mermaids of All 85
Ages
433 S. Arabia Youssef el-Harbi Dreams Thieves 86
435 Palestine Lutfi Zaghlul To a Brunette 87
436 S. Arabia Layila Ibrahim The Arrows of Secrets 88
437 Egypt Majida Abdel Nabi I Flee from You to You 89
438 Syria Dalia el-Saleh Imbibe Myself 90
439 Oman Shaghia el-Sewidi Whisper 91
440 Libya Hussein bin Qurayn Very Short Poems 92
Alderm Shaky
442 Sudan Bila Muhammad Fadel Erasing 93
443 S. Arabia Abdel Hadi el-Shihri Short Poems 94
444 Morocco Ayob el-Maliji I Love you Between Two Brackets 95
445 Syria Hassan Assai el-Sheikh Praying to the Sea 96
446 Libya Abdul Basit Mohamad Woman 97
Abu Bakr
447 Tunisia Fatima el-Hamzawi Embarrassments of Attendance 98
448 Romania Munir Mezyed Munir Sings to Baghdad 99
453 Romania Munir Mezyed Proverb
454 Romania Munir Mezyed Gaza is BurningWe are 100
Starving
456 Romania Munir Mezyed Proverb
457 Romania Munir Mezyed The Epic of Inferno and Muse 101
462 Romania Munir Mezyed Proverb
463 Morocco Leila Nasimi Which Volcano Bestowing 102
upon the Ice the Glow of
Crystal?
464 Iraq Rehab Hussain el-Saegh Ceremonial 103
465 Jordan Nael Jaraba The Psalms of Life and Eternity 104
471 Syria Ghalia Ghouja The Henna of Eternity 105
472 Jordan Ziad el-Saudi All This and More 106
473 Syria Amer el-Debk Waves 107
476 Egypt Ahmed Fadl Shablool He Walks between Two Rivers 108
605
478 Egypt Ahmed Fadl Shablool Passport 109
480 Palestine Dr. Yousif Shahada Three Triangles 110
481 Egypt Majida Abdel Nabi You 111
482 Syria Nizar Qabbani The School of Love 112
485 Syria Nizar Qabbani The Fortune Teller 113
487 Syria Nizar Qabbani Book of Love 114
489 Iraq Nu'man Thabit Abdul-Latif Night at its Stillest 115
490 Iraq Hassan Raheem el-Kharsani Baghdad the Subject of 116
International Deliberation
492 Iraq Basim Furat The Samurai 117
493 Iraq Basim Furat Me 118
494 Iraq Basim Furat My Father 119
495 Iraq Khaloud el-Muttalibi A Poet's Reverie 120
496 Iraq Khaloud el-Muttalibi The Tiresome Journey 121`
497 Palestine Essa Adway Dreams of Butterfly 122
499 Morocco Izz el aDin Katta Tales from the Book of Nights 123
501 Algeria Nathir el-Tiaar The Cover Will Disclose 124
503 Iraq Abdulwahab el-Muttalibi The Sonata of the 125
Unfamiliar Seagull
505 Palestine Ahmed el-Remawy A Rose of Anger 126
509 Palestine Nimr Sady The Singer Singing 127
510 Yemen Mohammed el-Mansour Pale Wakefulness 128
512 Palestine Lotfi Khamees The Violin King 129
514 Sudan Nassar el-Hajj Female 130
515 Palestine Saleh Mahameed Singing to Poets 131
516 Palestine Tayseer el-Nashif Palestine is My Homeland 132
517 Romania Munir Mezyed Tunisia My Mermaid 133
519 Romania Munir Mezyed Proverb
520 Palestine Ahmed el-Remawy Bakeries of Wind 134
521 Palestine Inshirah Hamdan The Gasp of the Drowned 135
523 Iraq Jebbar el-Kawaz The Void Sign 136
524 Iraq Majeed el-Mossawy Forlornness 137
525 Iraq Abdulla Hussain Chellab Tablets 138
527 Syria Subhi Niall The Joy of Tree 139
529 Iraq Alfred Sam'an Sections from Solo Playing 140
531 Iraq Majid el-Haider Poets 141
532 Iraq Tariq Harby The Bullet 142
533 Iraq Suhail Najim The Map of the Soul 143
535 Iraq Ahmed Mutter The Riddle 144
536 Iraq Ahmed Mutter A Plan 145
537 Iraq/Japan Basim Furat Oh, Blackness, Guide me 146
538 Iraq/USA Adnan el-Sayegh Whiteness 147
539 Oman Ali el-Rauwaihy As If you are Passing Now: A 148
Song of Crystal and Balconies
540 Kuwait Saadiah Mufrah She-Swallow 149
541 UAE Ibrahim Mohamad Ibrahim She, A Rain of Thirst 150
542 Egypt Ahmed el-Aktash Take off your Hat 151
606
544 Egypt Ahmed el-Aktash Defeats 152
545 Palestine Hilal el-Faara Verses from the Chapter 153
of the Stone
548 Palestine Hilal el-Faara Slumber to the Tunes of 154
My Poetry
549 Palestine Hilal el-Faara I Know Youre my Murderess 155
550 Jordan Sultan el-Zyadneh The Gasp of Wind 156
552 Palestine Abdel Salam el-Attary Three ...Their Fourth is my 157
Wave
553 Yemen Abed el-Salam el-Kibasy Fragments from the Book 158
of Malik el-Ashtar
555 Palestine Ashrif Majeed el-Halabi Why the Silence 159
556 Bahrain Ali el-Setrawi A Girl Washes His Image 160
557 Yemen Ali Ahmed Hagiz Poems Not to be Underst ood 161
558 Romania Munir Mezyed Cosmopolitan Dream 162
559 Palestine AbdAbdel Salam el -Attary The Post Man 163
560 Morocco Mohammed Amari Longing Mellowed with 164
Memory
561 Libya Mohamad Ksibat A Woman Under Water 165
563 Romania Munir Mezyed Palestinian Elegy 166
565 Romania Munir Mezyed Proverb
566 S. Arabia Huda Al-Daghfaq Circle 167
567 Egypt Hassan Hegazy For Freedom! 168
568 Morocco Aziz el-Wali Loaded With Lust I Come 169
to You
570 Egypt Hassan Hegazy Because You are Fantast ic 170
571 Iraq/USA Adnan el-Sayegh Passage to Exile 171
573 UAE Manal Ali Bin Amro Addressing the Walls 172
574 Morocco Idris Aloush The Squirrels 173
575 Morocco Idris Aloush The Night 174
576 Morocco Idris Aloush A Fall 175
577 Syria Dalia el-Salih The Fingers of Heaven 176
578 Bahrain Layila el-Said Paring Down the Violet 177
579 Morocco Mohammed el-Fakhari Seizures of the Solitude 178
581 Morocco Lubna el-Manwzi Dates
582 Morocco Mohammed Amari The Martyr's Wedding 180
583 Jordan Ahmed Abu Ridan Diary of the Lost King 181
585 S. Arabia Latifa Qari Within me a Desire for Life 182
587 Algeria Nouara Lahrash The Window of Wind 183
588 Romania Munir Mezyed Love Poem for Palestine 184
591 Romania Munir Mezyed Proverb
592 Romania Munir Mezyed Palestine and the Dream 185
594 Romania Munir Mezyed Proverb
595 Romania Munir Mezyed Journey to the Unseen 186
600 Romania Munir Mezyed Proverb
601 Appendix
607