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poems

Ali Rashid*




1-We'll say goodbye


While our eyes are wet with dreams that raced us to bed and sleep,


And to drink its coffees in our absence.


....


We'll say goodbye


While counting up cold years


Peeling what remained of them.


....


We'll say goodbye


Getting out of last evening


Accompanied with a handful of sticky wishes, and glasses we had not touched yet.


Just to receive tomorrow over and over again.


....


We'll say goodbye


While no space is left to turn time idle with forgetfulness.




2- Merry Christmas


Your feet could be waxed while looking for sanctuary that is not yours


You may change tight countries for a refrigerator to preserve in your years from


Rotting


I have nothing to say to you but


Merry Christmas


Though the hand that is over your shoulder is heavier


Than life itself.




3- The Enemy


I stretch out my hand toward my enemy to shake his


I sing a song he repeats every morning with a hoarse voice


I count up with him my losses


Sharing with him the cries of the dead,


But in the evening I have to wait with him who had returned from wars


Grouping them in equal numbers at random


For a nostalgic hug.




Translated by : Saleh Razzouk  (with Scott Minar)


*poet and painter from Iraq.