Sol 5.6

  1. An Eid rises in the innermost folds of hearts,

    and from its inspiration spring poetry and inspiration.

  2. A dream our souls have long yearned for—

    how beautiful that dreams should come true!

  3. The scattered parts are gathered: every land a pearl

    in its crown, with unity as the string.

  4. Whenever the Nile complains of its pains,

    those pains rend the Tigris to its very heart;

  5. and whenever the Far Maghreb calls out amid

    a grave calamity, Syria answers the call.

  6. The forefathers’ myths are gone: every land

    is a homeland for us, if only minds understood aright.

  7. The tongue has worn raw, and the pens have dried,

    yet things remain as they were, and talk is merely talk.

  8. The days passed us by, yet through them we did not tread

    the broad paths of right; and the years passed.

  9. The barque of bewilderment sailed, itself bewildered,

    over the deep, with delusions for its guide.

  10. The leaders quarreled between East

    and West, and the bonds of kinship were severed.

  11. Then suddenly the pulpits, clamorous and thronged,

    rang with the roar of bluster and deception.

  12. Error had a pavilion there,

    pitched where idols were worshiped.

  13. A free man, freeborn, is no mount

    to be ridden, his heart and tongue checked by a bridle.

  14. He speaks the truth, fearing no reproach;

    truth is the most splendid thing Islam holds.

  15. The days passed us amid excuses

    of “tomorrow,” and Arabism’s dreams were lost.

  16. We kept saying, “Tomorrow, tomorrow”—has tomorrow fulfilled

    the dreams that refugees pinned upon it?

  17. We kept saying, “Tomorrow the conscience will awaken

    of one who lost all conscience, and oppressors will act justly.”

  18. We kept saying, “They are beloved; their blows

    are welcome—there is no pain in them.”

  19. We kept deluding ourselves with promises; lies passed muster,

    and illusion worked its effect.

  20. They were drawn for us by lot from among our factions—

    woe to us when passion itself is factional!

  21. Balfour—what is Balfour, and what would his promise have been

    had our own deeds not ratified it?

  22. With our own hands we wounded our own heart,

    and through ourselves these pains came upon us.

  23. Among us is estrangement from the love that should unite us,

    and through the desert of discord we wander, passion-mad.

  24. Calamity split us into countless tribes,

    while among our enemies calamity is slight.

  25. O leaders—save those whom I hold above

    all that merits blame, whom every censurer has passed by—

  26. we are the victims; we seek no reward,

    the least of which would be recognition and public acknowledgment.

  27. Have we no role to play

    but a lavish farewell and a salute?

  28. Say “No,” and follow it with deeds; do not fear.

    Look there at how the heads are bowed.

  29. Melt with your fire the fetter around your neck, and it will melt;

    for banners are planted upon skulls.

  30. Raise your edifice upon the fallen bodies; only

    upon them are the heights of glory built and raised.

  31. Seize your rights by force—never beg for them;

    those who stole those rights are base.

  32. This is your road to life, so do not stray;

    al-Qassam traveled it before you.

Sol 5.6