Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Mourid Barghouti, poet and writer

I read Mourid Barghouti's book titled I Saw Ramallah and have been following his work ever since. He's a stunning poet.

IT’S ALSO FINE

It’s also fine to die in our beds
on a clean pillow
and among our friends.

It’s fine to die, once,
our hands crossed on our chests
empty and pale
with no scratches, no chains, no banners,
and no petitions.

It’s fine to have an undustful death,
no holes in our shirts,
and no evidence in our ribs.

It’s fine to die
with a white pillow, not the pavement, under our cheeks,
our hands resting in those of our loved ones
surrounded by desperate doctors and nurses,
with nothing left but a graceful farewell,
paying no attention to history,
leaving this world as it is,
hoping that, someday, someone else
will change it.


Mourid Barghouti (translated by Mourid Barghouti & Radwa Ashour)
A Small Sun (2003)

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

After this poem only silence will do ... Lut

furiousBall said...

beautiful prose, i'm not familiar with the poet. the dignity of death, very interesting subject. thanks for this.

Di Mackey said...

Mourid's book has the same beautiful flow in it, compelling reading. :)

Di Mackey said...

I agree Lut, it's stunning, isn't it.

Anonymous said...

Wow.

The images are compelling--you get sucked into the scene and the beauty and horror of it sneaks up and pierces you.

Di Mackey said...

His book is the same V. It's called 'I Saw Ramallah' if you're ever looking for a good read. Hmmmm, I could loan it to you .. .remind me, if you think you'll have some time.

The prose is poetic and the story compelling.