On this earth, what deserves life: the echo of April, the scent of bread

‏at dawn, a woman’s opinions about men, the writings of Aeschylus, first

‏love, grass on stone, mothers standing on a thread of flute, and the fear

‏of invaders from memories.

⸻

‏On this earth, what deserves life: the end of September, a woman leaving

‏her forties with all her apricots, the hour of the sun in prison, clouds imitating

‏a flock of creatures, the chants of a people for those ascending to their fate

‏smiling, and the fear of tyrants from songs.

⸻

‏On this earth, what deserves life: on this earth, the lady of

‏the earth, the mother of beginnings and ends. It was called Palestine. It has become

‏called Palestine. My lady: I deserve, because you are my lady, I deserve life.

⸻

Mahmoud Darwish