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.