Condemnation

By 
Mohammed al-Maghout

They stripped me of my sword as a warrior
          my pen as a poet
          my brush as a painter
          and my guitar as a Gypsy

On my way to the grave
they returned to me my belongings
So what can I say to them
more than the violin says to the storm
 
Translated from the Arabic by the late Noel Abdulahad
This poem appeared in Al Jadid, Vol. 7, no. 37 (Fall 2001)

The late Mohammed al-Maghout was a prominent Syrian poet. This poem is included in his book, “Sayyaf al-Zuhur” (The Flower Slayer, 2001).

 

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