Download document

AL-QASIM, Samih



End of a Talk with a Jailer


From the narrow window of my small cell,

I see trees that are smiling at me

and rooftops crowded with my family.

And windows weeping and praying for me.

From the narrow window of my small cell -

I can see your big cell!



/////////////////////////////////////


You men!

You women!

You sheiks and rabbis and cardinals!

And, you, nurses and textile workers!

You have waited so long

And the postman has not knocked on your door

Bringing you the letters you desire


You men!

You women!

Do not wait. Do not wait!

Take off your sleeping clothes

And write to yourselves

The letters you desire



The Wall Clock


My city collapsed

The wall clock remained

Our neighbourhood collapsed

The wall clock remained

The street collapsed

The wall clock remained

The square collapsed

The wall clock remained

My home collapsed

The wall clock remained

The wall collapsed

On went

The clock



Travel Tickets


The day I am killed,

my killer will find travel tickets

in my pocket


One, to peace

One, to fields and rain

And one,

to the conscience of humankind


I beg you,

Do not stay and waste them

Killer of mine,

I beg you to use them.

Travel.