I put on a lamp for my footsteps and respond to the sweetness of coincidence.
when the oil runs dry
I call out, tempted to push the climax to destruction
In this way I depart every morning with the fragrance of warriors and the awakening of the insane
I do not promise happiness
And my footsteps have only mistakes for guidance

BASSAM K FRANGIEH

is Professor of Arabic at Yale University, USA, and au thor of several books, including Alien atien and fhr Palestinian Novel (Arabic). He has translated leading Arab Poets and novelists into English.