Nights

Translated By Sara Elkamel
1

I draw a massive circle
where I dance with death.

When I’m done, I rest,
before plunging into lament.

2

A cloud appears; God must be smiling down
on children in need.

The moon morphs into a crescent; it must be grieving
a fallen star.

3

A white palm tree appears above my father’s head.
I don’t know how to color it.

4

The rain saves my father
the hassle of painting the front door.

Donating my organs to the cats
doesn’t make me a bird.

5

An old woman born in the palms of a tree
gives me a poisoned apple.

Will it kill me,
or will it turn me into a tree?

6

The moon’s hemorrhage in the morning
imitates mine.

The sun grins in the evening
to mock me.

7

The tender-eyed girl
tickles my nights.

Night after night,
I play my death reel.
Translated from the Arabic

Notes:

Read the Arabic-language original, “لیلیات,” and the translators note by Sara Elkamel.

Source: Poetry (May 2023)