Star of poetry is one of Charbel Baini's books translated from Arabic into English. Introduction by Dr. Mostapha Helwe
Showing posts with label O Egypt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label O Egypt. Show all posts

O Egypt

 

O Egypt, you are the mother... 

O my mother, hear me

My ribs are heavy with longing

This Nile is not all one river

For I have given the Nile the course of my tears

If the pyramids could speak of pure love

You would know 

That my heart has not left with me

The son of the migrant is drowning in his sorrow

Since I embraced the earth, 

My pain has vanished

A smile shone on the lips of loved ones

I thought the stars had fallen in haste

O mother of the world... Is what I see true?

Do the lands hear the sound of my supplication?

Extend your hands gently to your beloved,

He who does not attain glory is not a creator.

Behold, I have poured love into the fragrance 

Of a poem,

So, revel in love, then be pampered.

The sun has set, and Arabism has darkened.

From where will the light come 

If you do not shine?

You are the strong one, 

Even if a spiteful one intrudes,

The eagle protects the land so that you may reign.

O Egypt, you are both word and art,

Your melodious tunes have enriched my ears.

All the nightingales in your lands have sung,

And the universe listens in all four directions.

I love you, I said it as a wanderer,

And today I come to say it with reverence.

Be as you are, an embrace of motherhood,

Who will gather the children 

If you do not gather them? 

**