Arabs manifests the deepest respect and awe to Words. We are moved, transported by their power. While other take the brush to paint their feeling, the Arab take the words to create a world that encompassed all their past and future glories. That takes me to my favorite poet, Nizar Qabbani.
Nizar passed away a few years ago. He is from this generation which was able to raise above all the difficulties of their time, full of hope and enthusiasm, the man made borders and frontiers disappears at their contact. Citizen of the Arab world. Nizar was born a Syrian (my son's country), adopted Lebanon and loved Baghdad (our beloved). His poetry is a brise in the sky. From adoring women to oblivion, to loving his land to death, Nizar teach us form the grave that we still have hope, if only we can respect the word. His poetry is very controversial in our land, where women are considerate too precious to be courted in public. Nizar broke this taboo and talks to his beloved with the sweetness of the lover, praising her as mother, a companion and friend. Nizar is ageless. The rhythm of his words take you to a world where everything is simple and pure. Here is one of my favorite. (Better when read in Arabic)
Nizar passed away a few years ago. He is from this generation which was able to raise above all the difficulties of their time, full of hope and enthusiasm, the man made borders and frontiers disappears at their contact. Citizen of the Arab world. Nizar was born a Syrian (my son's country), adopted Lebanon and loved Baghdad (our beloved). His poetry is a brise in the sky. From adoring women to oblivion, to loving his land to death, Nizar teach us form the grave that we still have hope, if only we can respect the word. His poetry is very controversial in our land, where women are considerate too precious to be courted in public. Nizar broke this taboo and talks to his beloved with the sweetness of the lover, praising her as mother, a companion and friend. Nizar is ageless. The rhythm of his words take you to a world where everything is simple and pure. Here is one of my favorite. (Better when read in Arabic)
When I love you
When I love you
A new language springs up,New cities, new countries discovered.
The hours breathe like puppies,Wheat grows between the pages of books,Birds fly from your eyes with tiding of honey,Caravans ride from your breasts carrying Indian herbs,
The mangoes fall all around, the forests catch fire
And Nubian drums beat.
When I love you your breasts shake off their shame,
When I love you your breasts shake off their shame,
Turn into lightning and thunder, a sword, a sandy storm.
When I love you the Arab cities leap up and demonstrateAgainst the ages of repression
And the agesOf revenge against the laws of the tribe.
And I, when I love you,March against ugliness,Against the kings of salt,
Against the institutionalization of the desert.
And I shall continue to love you until the world flood arrives;I shall continue to love you until the world flood arrives.
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