Friday, September 24, 2004

An Arab Traveler in Space Stations by Syrian poet Muhammad Al-Maghut (my translation):
Ye, scientists and technicians
Give me a traveling ticket to the skies
I am dispatched by my sad country
by its widows, elderly, and children
to get from you a free ticket to the skies
In my palms I have..."tears"
instead of coins
No place for me?
Place me in the back of the carriage
on its top
I am a villager and am
accustomed to that,
I will not harm a star
I will not hurt a cloud
All what I seek is to reach
at the fastest speed the sky
to place a whip in
the hand of God
Maybe he will incite us
to revolution.