Three Poems
Rent from DeepDyve- Three Poems
Excerpt From an Inquest
—And what do you call this country?—My country.—So you admit it?—Yes, sir. I admit it.I'm not a professional tourist.—Do you say "my country"?—I say "my country."—And where is my country?—Your country.—And where is your country?—My country.—And the claps of thunder?—My horses neighing.—And the gusts of wind?—My extension.—And the plains' fertility?—My exertion.—And the mountains' size?—My pride.—And what do you call the country?—My country.—And what should I call my country?—My country?… [End Page 144]
End of a Talk with a Jailer
From the narrow window of my small cell,I see trees that are smiling at meand rooftops crowded with my family.And windows weeping and praying for me.From the narrow window of my small cell—I can see your big cell!
Tickets
The day I'm killedmy killer will findtickets in my pockets:One to peace,one to fields and the rain,and oneto humanity's conscience.
I beg you—please don't waste them.I beg you, you who kill me: Go.
Translations from Arabic by Nazih Kassis [End Page 145]
Samih al-Qasim is one of the leading poets in the Arab world. The first English collection of his work, Sadder Than Water: New & Selected Poems was published by Ibis Editions in 2006.
