Not Blind

No it isn’t. But love
took one of my eyes for itself, love
had vision before birth, did
discuss with me the accuracy
of what transpires in lenses.

And then it went blind—slowly
soaked us up from behind a veil,
and we couldn’t see it.

A deaf air said to me
that borders believe
space is smaller than the world
since children draw Earth
smaller than their houses
and eyes bigger than their faces.

Here love failed to find its eyes,
borrowed my lips
for better form.

Love, why don’t you stay as you are,
without official title,
subsistent on whoever desires you
for five minutes
before your suicide?

How cruel
you announce your sex
with paradise.

—Taghrid Abdelal, Poems from Palestine

Translated by Fady Joudah

Read more at: http://thebaffler.com/logical-revolts/poems-from-palestine

Mom

Mother of my brothers.

Mother of my sisters.

Mother of my father.

Mother of my cousins, aunts, uncles.

Mother of my friends.

Mother of your friends.

Mother of your employees.

Mother of your neighbors.

Mother of your customers.

Mother of the community.

Mother of anyone in need.

Mother of the animals.

Mother of the insects.

Mother of the world.

You have shown me how to see beauty.

You have shown me how to love unconditionally.

You have shown me that the only limitations I have are the ones I set for myself.

That the only material things I need in life are a good mattress and a comfortable pair of shoes.

That good food feeds the soul.

That art, music and dance are gifts from God that should be celebrated.

That financial stability has nothing to do with life.

That world peace comes from an individual level.

Mom, you are smart. Wise. Funny.

Talented. Loving. Giving. Compassionate.

I am proud that you are my mother.

I admire you Mom, and if I were to turn out just like you, I would be one of the most amazing women I have ever known.

I love you.

Happy Mother's Day

— Dara Mae Therese Quinn
5/8/2011