”Arabic Music,” a Poem by Mahmoud Darwish

“If only men were stones.”If only I were a stone…

Whenever the eyes wander, Do these clouds, one by one, Put me to flight?When a sparrow scratches at the horizonDo I search for an idol?

At each shining guitarDoes my spiritGive way to its own demiseIn the ships’ foaming wake—

When a woman finds her womanhoodDoes the flash at my waist catch me in its lightAnd burn me!

When the mallow withersAnd the bird cries upon its branchAm I made illOr do I awaken: oh, my country!Do I catch fire in the flowering of almondsAnd at each burningAm I the smoke, a kerchief

Does the north windTear me, The rain erase my face?

From Darwish: Poems.