Fadwa Tuqan translations

Enough for Me
by Fadwa Tuqan
loose translation by Michael R. Burch

Enough for me to lie in the earth, 
to be buried in her, 
to sink meltingly into her fecund soil, to vanish...
only to spring forth like a flower
brightening the play of my countrymen's children.

Enough for me to remain
in my native soil's embrace, 
to be as close as a handful of dirt, 
a sprig of grass, 
a wildflower. 

***

Existence
by Fadwa Tuqan
loose translation by Michael R. Burch

In my solitary life, I was a lost question; 
in the encompassing darkness, 
my answer lay concealed.

You were a bright new star
revealed by fate, 
radiating light from the fathomless darkness.

The other stars rotated around you
-- once, twice --
until I perceived
your unique radiance.

Then the bleak blackness broke
And in the twin tremors
of our entwined hands
I had found my missing answer.

Oh you! Oh you intimate, yet distant! 
Don't you remember the coalescence 
Of our spirits in the flames? 
Of my universe with yours? 
Of the two poets? 
Despite our great distance, 
Existence unites us.

***

Nothing Remains
by Fadwa Tuqan
loose translation by Michael R. Burch

Tonight, we're together, 
but tomorrow you'll be hidden from me again, 
thanks to life's cruelty.

The seas will separate us...
Oh! Oh! If only I could see you! 
But I'll never know
where your steps led you, 
which routes you took, 
or to what unknown destinations
your feet were compelled.

You will depart and the thief of hearts, 
the denier of beauty, 
will rob us of all that's dear to us, 
will steal this happiness from us, 
leaving our hands empty.

Tomorrow at sunrise you'll vanish like a phantom, 
dissipating into a delicate mist
dissolving quickly in the summer sun.

Your scent! Your scent contains the essence of life, 
filling my heart
as the earth absorbs the lifegiving rain.

I will miss you like the fragrance of trees
when you leave tomorrow, 
and nothing remains.

Just as everything beautiful and all that's dear to us
is lost! Lost, and nothing remains.

Reviews

[Cortez]

This poem speaks of life. First of its short existence. How we become, acceptingly part of nature. Secondly; if a encounters love who surrounded you with love and light. Thirdly a long distance love who you want close.
Very touching;?the picturesque words, are felt by me (reader)

[Michael R. Burch]

I'm glad you found my translations touching. All kudos of course to the original creator, Fadwa Tuqan.