No Sin For a Mirror

No Sin for a Mirror Arabic Poem by: Habib Al-Samir* Translated Into English by: Inaam Al-Hashimi (Gold_N_Silk) ========================= In a room, Bordered by the sun on the right And the moon on the left, A mirror stands On a smooth wall Exposing or concealing my failures. Since I am stuck on it, It tells me tales every morning, With polished gestures Revealing everything And, also, Holding everything. It keeps on facing me Contemplating my body, The shape of my hair And the color of my eyes, And it's no sin for a mirror. *** Oh, you! Keeper of my secrets, and holder of my deeds, How often have you picked the heat off my tears as I cried, And as I grieved over my defeats! Oh you! In yestertimes we left our remnants behind We laughed long About past times and reflections Charged with a spate of attention. I remember that I left a tattoo On your forehead As you beheld the drizzle falling on my bed. Here are my fragrant silken dreams; When cold, I resort to you To give me fabulous warmth. I buried my remnants As a grapevine Would bury its remnants in wine!! Oh you! The savor of my coffee, Oh my mirror! Here was the fragrance In the rendezvous of our two bodies. Sometimes, in my absence You tidied my scattered papers; Oh, how splendid your hand was As it touched my things! Compassionate, calm, and full of sentiment it was. You memorized the journey of my fingers And embalmed the expressions of my laughter At my repeated failures. I shall close my door To find you sailing off on the boat of my soul Taking the color of the sun, And reciting poems I have not written yet. Oh my mirror, How fond you are Of remembering names so special to me My female friends, The types of tobacco I like, And even the taste of my wilderness! Oh, how I fear for you The presence of vapors sublimating in the space of the room! I will stay with you In my room That's bordered by the sun As she descends from her throne; And, in the night, as the moon escorts you In the pleasure journey, I'll slip off my cloak and wear my delight As you look at me. Why are you so dazzled? As if you, for the first time, Noticed my presence In your depth! ===== Translated by: Em. Prof. Inaam Al-Hashimi (Gold_N_Silk) July 26, 2013 *Habib Al-Samir is a poet from Iraq Original text in Arabic : http://www.alnoor.se/article.asp?id=209949 *