Arabic poetry translated into English

Princess Royal · #1 Tuesday, August 05, 2008

In the early thirties of last century, the well-known Arab American Poet, Ilya Abu Madhi expressed his uncertainty about the purpose of life in his famous Arabic poem Attalasim, meaning “puzzles, talismans, mysteries, riddles”. In the introduction section of the poem, translated into English by Mostafa Malaekah , the poet says:

I came not knowing from where, but I came.
And I saw a pathway in front of me, so I walked.
And I will remain walking, whether I want this or not.
How did I come? How did I see my pathway?
I do not know!

Am I new or am I old in this existence?
Am I free and unrestrained, or do I walk in chains?
Do I lead myself in my life, or am I being led?
I wish I know, but…
I do not know!

And my path, oh what is my path? Is it long or is it short?
Am I ascending in it, or am I going down and sinking?
Am I the one who is walking on the road,
or is it the road that is moving?
Or are we both standing, but it is the time that is running?
I do not know!

Before I became a full human, do you see
if I were nothing, impossible? Or do you see that I was something?
Is there an answer to this puzzle, or will it remain eternal?
I do not know ... and why do I not know??
I do not know!

Few years ago, Rabie Abdel-Halim replied to Attalasim by the Arabic poem Fakkuttalasim (“Talismans Clues”) which was recently translated into English by : Aisha Musa Al Saeed and revised by : Eiman Al Khateeb. Here is the introduction section of this poem:

I’ve come to this world fully aware how.
I’ve come to this world for a reason; with guidance of the signs I’ve discerned.
I’ve realized the mark and was guided.
Wish they knew! How could people have missed it?
Wish they knew!

It is not a mysterious secret, that matter of existence.
The whole universe is creativity that leads to God the Almighty.
Land and sea creatures are evidence of His creation.
Wish they knew! How could people have missed the rational?
Wish they knew!

Adam the grandfather, a prophet, is God’s, The All Capable, creation.
He selected, directed, and called him the reminder.
He granted him a world of knowledge so as to shed light.
Wish they knew! How could people not see that?
Wish they knew!

Like my great grandfather, God has guided me through the faithful spirit.
From messenger to messenger, we have received the ultimate words.
In the light of truth we unravel the mysteries of the unknown.
Wish they knew! How could they fail to follow its guidance?
Wish they knew!

God said: Be! And I became! And now I live!
I’m master of my self-will.
I’m free in my choice, be it right or be it wrong.
They have missed the glaring truth! How could they?
Wish they knew!

Princess Royal · #2 Tuesday, August 05, 2008

All I Have

I never carried a rifle
On my shoulder
Or pulled a trigger.
All I have
Is a flute's melody
A brush to paint my dreams,
A bottle of ink.

All I have
Is unshakeable faith
And an infinite love
For my people in pain.

Tawfiq Zayyad

Princess Royal · #3 Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Farewell

Leave me, my love, it's time to part
this paradise is not my portion.
I had to cross a bridge of flame whenever
I visited this land of bliss.
Yet I've been your life-long companion
since earliest youth and your tender years.
But now I come like a transient guest,
and go away like a bird of passage.

Has anyone drunken with love like us,
seen love like we have seen it ?
We built a thousand castles on our way,
Walked together on a moon-drenched road,
Where joy danced and leapt before us,
we gazed at the stars that fell, and we possessed them.
And we laughed like two children together,
ran and raced with our own shadows.
After this nectar's sweetness we awoke -
how I wished it had never been so !
Night's dreams had vanished, the night was ended
the night that used to be our friend.
The light of morning was an ominous herald ;
dawn loomed up like a wall of fire.

Ibrahim Naji

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