Nights
By Mona Kareem
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 translator’s note by Sara Elkamel.
Source: Poetry (May 2023)