"Indeed We created man, and We know what his own self whispers to him."

-Al-Qur'an 50:16-

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Were I a king

Were I a king I could command content ;
    Were I obscure, unknown should be my cares;
And were I dead, no thoughts should me torment,
    Nor words, nor wrongs, nor loves, nor hopes, nor fears.
A doubtful choice, of three things one to crave,
A kingdom, or a cottage, or a grave.


-Edward de Vere

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Eleven Planets in the Last Andalusian Sky

On the last evening
we tear our days down from the trellises
tally the ribs we carry away with us
and the ribs we leave behind.

On the last evening
we bid farewell to nothing,
we've no time to finish,
everything's left as it is,
places change dreams the way they
change casts of characters.

Suddenly we can no longer be lighthearted,
this place is about to play host to nothing.

On the last evening,
we contemplate mountains surrounding the clouds,
invasion and counter-invasion,
the ancient era handing our door keys over to a new age.
Enter, O invaders, come, enter our houses
drink the sweet wine of our Andalusian songs!
We are night at midnight
no horseman galloping toward us
from the safety of that last call to prayer
to deliver the dawn.

Our tea is so hot and green--so drink!
Our pistachios are ripe and fresh--so eat!
The beds are green with new cedarwood
--give in to your drowsiness!
After such a long siege, sleep on the
soft down of our dreams!
Fresh sheets, scents at the door, and many mirrors.
Enter our mirrors so we can vacate the premises completely!

Later we'll look up what was recorded in our history
about yours in faraway lands

Then we'll ask ourselves,
"Was Andalusia
here or there? On Earth
or only in poems?"

By Mahmoud Darwish 

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Tonight...

Tonight a fire burns in my heart.
A roaring rolling flame.
You see I always find myself in this place time and again.
I know well its pain.
Its a sort of hollow feeling that fills only with shame.
Its a lonely anguish I can't explain.
It hardened my heart and made me strange.
Its made me strange.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Procrastination

I've lost my heart in trivial pursuits
They dance so beautifully I could not refuse
Squandering time I could not afford to lose
Taking the place of noble endeavors
not increasing in any good whatsoever
Falling for the tricks of shaitan, the accursed, the clever

Saturday, March 05, 2011

A Night Prayer

Wednesday, March 02, 2011

King of Hearts

Roll me up in your arms and tuck me into your breast pocket
Whisper soothing words as the rumble of your voice reverberates through me
The beating of your heart lulling me into deep sleep
Deeply safely in your protection, your right hand possession 
Hush my complaints and push away the fitan
Trust that I trust you with self and wealth
Know that I'll shadow you all through your life
A rib of your body
As long as you'll have me you'll find me
Wrapped around your breast