Sol 6.1

  1. في داخله ما زال يعسكر جند هواجسه

    فلديه ذاكرة

    Within him, the troops of his anxieties are still encamped.

    For he has a memory:

  2. لو مال بها شيئا ما

    لاندلقت تحكي التاريخ السري

    were he to tilt it ever so slightly,

    it would spill out, recounting the secret history

  3. لكل هزائمنا

    لا الشمس بها شمس

    of all our defeats.

    In it, the sun is no sun;

  4. لا القمر الواقف في الشرفة

    و الدكنة تعلوه قمر،

    nor is the moon standing on the balcony,

    with darkness looming over it, a moon.

  5. كان صديقا و الأشياء تحب صداقته

    حتى السيجارة في شفتيه أقامت خيمتها

    He was a friend, and things loved his friendship.

    Even the cigarette between his lips pitched its tent.

  6. و الولاعة صارت مولعة بأنامله

    أما المنديل فلا يرتاح سوى فوق محياه،

    And the lighter became infatuated with his fingertips.

    As for the handkerchief, it found rest only upon his face.

  7. كان كبيرا

    حتى البحر حين يمر قريبا منه يتهيبه

    He was great.

    Even the sea, when he passed close to it, stood in awe of him,

  8. و يمد يد السلم

    إلى السفن المفزوعة ,

    and extended the hand of peace

    to the frightened ships.

  9. لا شيء يفل نقاء سريرته

    هو في السر كما في العلنِ

    Nothing mars the purity of his inner self.

    He is the same in private as in public.

  10. مات و ما زال يموت بحب الوطنِ

    هل يثنيه زمن الردة

    He died, and still dies for love of the homeland.

    Can the age of backsliding sway him

  11. أن يقلب معطفه؟

    لا...هو فوق الحربائية

    into turning his coat?

    No—he is above chameleon-like fickleness,

  12. حتى يرحل صحبة مبدئه في كفنِ.

    until he departs with his principle in a shroud.