poetry
E!Maam Skeet: Singing Saudi Superstar
A former imam of a Saudi mosque had a surprising announcement to his countrymen: he is releasing his first music album. Abdullah Al-Skiti, the imam from the mosque of Alkhabra, is wiping the dust of his small town from off his shoes and going public with the declaration of his rather controversial ambitions. He’s currently [...]
Tayyeb Saleh Passes Away, Migrating to the North (Arabic)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0M_c5zmPtk] Tayyeb Saleh, the Sudanese novelist and writer passed away yesterday in London. He was nearly 80 years old. He left behind a rich literary collection that has a number of novels, the most famous of which is Season of Migration to the North, which gained fame for being one of the first novels to [...]
Time Itself Learns from My People
The upcoming Palestinian poet, Tamim al-Barghouthi (Mourid’s son) came out last year with a powerfully Mutanabbi-esque poem (especially the way he personifies Time as a warrior that he/his people conquered) that sums up why the Palestinians will never bow: even Time itself learns from them: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogu9j3KaJtk] My spontaneous (poorly prepared, literal) translation of the first [...]
Batter My Heart
Israeli writer Avi Shavit, who is by no means a members of Israel’s polemic peace camp, wrote an article stating that while Israel’s open assault and massacre against Palestinians, while squeezing Hamas, is destroying Israels’ soul. Which reminded me of John Donne’s sonnet, which I offer to Israelis as my contribution the this debate, should [...]
Art Activism and Gaza: Poets and Hip Hop Artists Organize for Gaza
New York City’s Alwan for the Arts, located in Wall Street, teaming up with hip hop heavy weights and organizations like Palestine/Israel Education Project will be one of the sites hosting a multi-event benefit night for Gaza this weekend. The first and second events,”Hands Off Gaza” and “I *heart* Gaza,” will feature performances by Immortal [...]
On So-Called “Summits”
No one sums it up better than the Iraqi poet Muzaffar al-Nawab, who specializes in poetry insulting all the Arab leaders without exception: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vydfaai055k] My impromptu (literal) translation of the first stanza:Summits, Summits, SummitsGoats and SheepHis Highness the Guinea Pig and the Royal Eweand a Donkey in his old ageand so the Session begins:We are [...]
Suheir Hammad: Jabaliya
a woman wears a bell carries a light calls searchesthrough madness of deir yessin calls for rafah for bread orange peel under nails blue glass under feet gathers children in zeitoun sitting with dead mothers she unearthstunnels and buries sun onto trauma a score and a day rings a bell she is dizzy more than [...]
A call to all poets, writers, artists, musicians…
A guest posting by Tala of Lamentations – Gaza The silence of the governments of the world has been disheartening, but there has never been a more significant time for hope. For the sake of hope, I’m asking you to share your art and writing with us. A major communications company in LA wants to [...]
Yesterday I died 360 times
Yesterday I died! As an old man buried in his tomb,A fetus dead in her mother’s womb Last night I had my last drop of coffeeMy last dream, my last piece of bread Tomorrow morning I will witness my last dawnListen to my daughter’s last heart beatSay I love you for the first, the very [...]
Poets for Palestine: A Book Review
A common frame the mainstream public has grown accustomed to seeing Palestine portrayed in primetime news is one of violence. The way in which Palestinians have been and continue to be represented in the media by such an unforgiving hegemonic narrative contributes to the world’s lack of understanding and sympathy for their cause. Art offers [...]
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