al-saddiq al-raddi

Lamps

In the water
in silence at your side
in a fire that draws us close
I drift –
and only you can call me

. . . . . . . . . .
A bird enters spring
like a lance
Your eyes flash their secrets
A kiss grazes the rainbow
The rain rains

But the streets are empty of my friends
Lamps are extinguished
in the far-flung houses
and the lost heart echoes in its lonely chamber

You give your blessings to those who depart
and leave the rest to fate


trans by sarah maguire and sabry hafez