An Everyday Scene    

 

 

It's a soft winter day

between echoes in the distance

and the sound of drizzling rain

A room

its broken window is transparent

so that nothing separates the clouds above

from the edges of the mat

The child's hand, with its five dimples

lies gently now

on the down-covered breast

He tries to suckle, between hunger and sleepiness

In the mother's eyes there is a celebratory pride

and traces of weariness

Outside the window

the everyday scene continued:

Young boys loading their slingshots

The sound of shouting, banners in the air,

Soldiers opening fire with a reckless thrill

Another boy falls martyred

onto the pavement.

 

 Translated by Radwa Ashour