poetry

In solitary life, I was a lost question;

In the encompassing darkness,

my answer was concealed.

You were a bright new star radiating light from the darkness of the unknown, revealed by fate.

The other stars rotated around you —once, twice — until it came to me, your unique radiance.

Then the bleak blackness broke And in the matching tremors of our two hands I found my missing answer.

Oh you! Oh you intimate, yet distant! Don’t you remember the coalescence Of your spirit in flames? Of my universe with yours? Of the two poets? Despite our great distance, Existence unites us – Existence!

source: https://www.amust.com.au/2017/11/fadwa-tuqan-the-poet-of-palestine/

translated by Michael R Burch

biobibliographical note: Fadwa Tuqan became the Grand Dame of Palestinian letters, and was also known as ‘The Poet of Palestine.’ She is considered to be one of the very best contemporary Arab poets.