Star of poetry is one of Charbel Baini's books translated from Arabic into English. Introduction by Dr. Mostapha Helwe

Abu al-Tayeb al-Mutanabbi

 

Commemorating Abu al-Tayeb al-Mutanabbi at Dr. Bahia Abou Hamad's Salon 2016


Your day is certain, today

"Mutanabbi," and you excel

O Abu al-Tayeb, wait

Here, disbelief prevails

Here, war has raged

Here, death is relentless

We no longer fear satire

The slaves have wreaked havoc on the land

We live each day

Our tears are a celebration of sorrow

No child has come from among us

Who feared our world

We have destroyed what we built

While the West builds

An oppressor grows ever more powerful Injustice

This is what the East desires

I seek a great people

Unblemished by dams

Fearing no borders

The unity of the land is the border

The most beautiful melodies fade

When the anthem is assassinated

O great one, you have attained glory

You are a martyr for poetry

We have found you strong

A thousand camphor’s can destroy

We have read you as wise

Generous with tales

No base person has attained honour

No miser has profited

If death has claimed you for an age

All that you said is new

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