A Poem by Tal Al-Mallouhi for International Women's Day 2012

You will remain an example

(For Gandhi)

I will walk with all walking people
And no
I will not stand still
Just to watch the passers by
This is my Homeland
In which
I have
A palm tree
A drop in a cloud
And a grave to protect me

This is more beautiful
Than all cities of fog
And cities which
Do not recognise me
My master:
I would like to have power
Even for one day
To build the “republic of feelings.”

(Translated by Ghias al-Jundi)

http://www.englishpen.org/international-womens-day-take-action-for-women-writers-around-the-world/

 

Syria – Tal al-Mallouhi

Tal al-Mallouhi is a young poet who was only 19 years old when she was arrested in her home city of Homs more than two years ago in December 2009. She was sentenced to five years in prison in February 2011, convicted of spying for a foreign country. She is still in prison, with little access to her family – a situation aggravated by the recent conflict. She had no political affiliations but she had published comments and poetry on line. For more on her case read this PEN alert. http://www.englishpen.org/syria-blogger-and-poet-sentenced/

Celebrate women-writers at PEN International’s link , http://www.pen-international.org/03/2012/in-celebration-of-women-writers/

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