Samih Al-Qasim, a Palestinian poet celebrated throughout the Arab world, died August 19, 2014. His collection Sadder Than Water: New & Selected Poems can be purchased from Ibis Editions.

 

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!

 

Samih Al-Qasim

(translated by Nazih Kassis)​

 

TRAVEL TICKETS

 

The day I’m killed,

my killer, rifling through my pockets, 

will find travel tickets:

One to peace,

one to the fields and the rain,

and one 

to the conscience of humankind.

Dear killer of mine, I beg you:

Do not stay and waste them.

Take them, use them.

I beg you to travel.

 

Samih Al-Qasim

(translated by A.Z. Foreman)​