The Reeds Poem by Khaloud AlMuttalibi

O home whom the farmers turn to
Those who plant crops
In the ridges of the soil
And give away bread to the poor

2
O shelter of a lover, a fish
Weakened by staying up at night
And the boat whose sailor was tired
Of rowing
Bless you
Bless the ground
That bore you


3
You who fill the teats of
The buffaloes with milk
And give generously your treasures
To the fishermen

4
I saw the photos of Venice
Planted on
The water of the sea
I crossed the Rhine
And stood up on the beaches of the Alba River
Its relaxing shores
Like a body of a sleeping woman


5
In Budapest
I stood up on the river Danube
And listened to the music that
Fascinated Strauss

6
On the threshold of Sofia
I had my lunch in one of the Vitosha bars
Hidden amongst the trees

7
I passed through the streets of Rome
Which were made of black stones of calcium
That resemble Caesar's heart
And walked as far as the crowds of protesting Hippies
Against the madness of this world

8
I saw the tears of the kneeling pilgrims
Below the domes of the Vatican
And the lovers spreading along the banks of
The River Tiber


9
In each one of these places
I see your feather, O great artist,
The reeds of my country
Trying to give the world
Some air, the promise of better days




10
Since my feet touched the ground
You became the house that safeguards me from the wind
And the downpour of rain
And gives me the warmth of a family


11
O reeds
Sanctified by God
Who deposited in you
His immortal music


12

Would Tchaikovsky, Mozart or even
Saint Beethoven who did not bow
To Caesar when he passed
Nor did he take off his hat for him
Would these men have chosen other than you
To write down their masterpieces
If they had visited your forests
In the marshes of Sagil
Or if they had discovered how the shepherds ,
Drop their music
On the holes of the pipe


13
Without you this world would turn to
A body without a lap,
A kiss without a lip
And to fingers that do not get wet by the dew of music

14
Since I revealed the secret of Alexander with the two horns
You become pursued
Be careful of them O reed
Beware
The world is full of Caesar s
With savage horns



By Aisa Hassan Al-Yasiri

Copyright ©: Translated by: Khaloud Al-Muttalibi