Sister Arabic Poems

Love what is love ,tell me tell me the truth
    Love is truth isn't it

   tell me what this is...

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Looking back, one thing comes clean-glass clear
you were always there for me subduing every fear.

I tried to do my duty, be a husband strong and...

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English translations of Arabic poems by Fadwa Tuqan aka "The Poet of Palestine"

Enough for Me
by Fadwa Tuqan 
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Enough for me...

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The Goldfish Bowl


Once injected with water, sorrow becomes colorless and tasteless
Inside the glass bowl, all lives
only live seven seconds

The same route, again and again --
The...

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Strange Weather 

The camels are swimming, 
and who knew...
they knew how?
What a surprise...
to all that stood by, 
watching them cross the desert, 
like ducks on...

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High Powered Fences, 
Beyond Your Vote

Armchair Politian's sitting beside Ceasar(a), 
believing or at least making believe...
that they are for the people, 
and not against. 
"They"...

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When Freedom Grows Cold
(not a nice poem)

One day the dogs will not bark. 
I/we will not be ready, 
as they will have failed...
to do all...

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Holidays Together

We stand tall next to each other, 
in the choir before Our Lord. 
We are happy to sing, 
for Him…

We are humble 
that are...

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Ugly Face

The law,
says leave no trace, 

but the eyes. 
a hateful rag, 
that smells;
of unclean things,
of sour food, 
and drink, 
of his taste, 
and his...

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The Chair

     Calls out my name. 
     It is ever at the side of the bed. 
...

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And Repeat
(Abuse)

Slowly you have begun a habit that needs stopped. 
It needs attention paid to it. Now!

Some days you are so very kind, some days...

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Trapped

An imprisoned animal walks the bars back and forth at the zoo. 
I have seen my guy do the same thing in the garage. 
You...

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Head Games

You love to play them. 

When you treat me badly, 
I let you, as I thought that meant…
I was loving you. 
I was wrong....

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Happy

Sunday dishes, 
done by hand. 
The washer put to rest. 

No football, yes that is what I said. (But I have it backed up for...

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Fadwa Tuqan has been called the Grand Dame of Palestinian letters and The Poet of Palestine. These are my translations of Fadwa Tuqan poems originally...

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