#Ounsi El Hage

[muhtesemz]

A girl dreamt she was a butterfly - She got up - And didn’t know whether she was

A girl dreaming she was a butterfly

Or - A butterfly dreaming it was a girl.

― Ounsi El Hage, Butterfly Girl

[finita--la--commedia]

I swear to love you without knowing how much

Ounsi El Hage (Lebanon, 1937), from “The messenger with her hair”, translated from the Arabic by Brandel France

[finita--la--commedia]

I am your head, then you, loved one, are the halo around mine I am your head and you the crown on mine I am the exodus and the return between your two moons

Ounsi El Hage (Lebanon, 1937), from “The messenger with her hair”, translated from the Arabic by Brandel France

[finita--la--commedia]

Through you I became love

Ounsi El Hage (Lebanon, 1937), from “The messenger with her hair”, translated from the Arabic by Brandel France

[finita--la--commedia]

You dispel black magic You are one to be savoured, gentle, your hands entwined with love

Ounsi El Hage (Lebanon, 1937), from “The messenger with her hair”, translated from the Arabic by Brandel France

[finita--la--commedia]

I swear to house my tears in your hand I swear to be the distance between I love you and I love you

Ounsi El Hage (Lebanon, 1937), from “The messenger with her hair”, translated from the Arabic by Brandel France

[finita--la--commedia]

I swear to fade out for the sake of your happiness like stars at day

Ounsi El Hage (Lebanon, 1937), from “The messenger with her hair”, translated from the Arabic by Brandel France

[finita--la--commedia]

Beloved I swear to be your plaything, your captive I swear to deserve your star on my shoulder

Ounsi El Hage (Lebanon, 1937), from “The messenger with her hair”, translated from the Arabic by Brandel France

[finita--la--commedia]

I swear to hear the call of your eyes in order to resist the wisdom of your lips

Ounsi El Hage (Lebanon, 1937), from “The messenger with her hair”, translated from the Arabic by Brandel France

[finita--la--commedia]

Come forth From despair’s depths and the icy heights From desire’s ruins and the ashes of patience Come forth Become me as I become you I am your transparency

Ounsi El Hage (Lebanon, 1937), from “The messenger with her hair”, translated from the Arabic by Brandel France

[finita--la--commedia]

The opening of your two lips is a feast Your lips, the master’s wine Your mouth is ruddy with the sun of your brow

Ounsi El Hage (Lebanon, 1937), from “The messenger with her hair”, translated from the Arabic by Brandel France

[finita--la--commedia]

O night, night Carry up my prayer Hear me O Lord Plant my beloved and do not uproot her Enrich her with years unborn Fortify her with my coming years Keep her leaves green Let no wind diffuse her scent

Ounsi El Hage (Lebanon, 1937), from “The messenger with her hair”, translated from the Arabic by Brandel France

[finita--la--commedia]

You are my gift, O God, add my years to hers Loved one, you are the other side of creation Loved one, you are truth In you is my inspiration and wisdom In you my rapture In you ecstasy and shelter You are the reunion of our two bodies, one body at peace with the elements

Ounsi El Hage (Lebanon, 1937), from “The messenger with her hair”, translated from the Arabic by Brandel France

[finita--la--commedia]

O lord Protect my loved one Clear the path before her Watch over her days... Have pity, O lord, she led me to you You at the forefront of my prayer’s possession Bless her more than I ask you So that your gift a flood, swells hope. She led me to you She speaks so I say glory to you She acts and so your river flow in my wasteland She looks and so I see you She acts and so I reflect on your miracles To them earth ends where sea begins For me land ends beside her feet. She led me to you and I confessed because she made me dizzy with truth as though drunk She led me to you for the sake of my soul, So is it not little no matter how much I ask you ?

Ounsi El Hage (Lebanon, 1937), from “The messenger with her hair”, translated from the Arabic by Brandel France

[finita--la--commedia]

I swear whenever I come across my heart between the lines, I shall rejoice: I found you ! I found you !

Ounsi El Hage (Lebanon, 1937), from “The messenger with her hair”, translated from the Arabic by Brandel France

[finita--la--commedia]

With but a flicker of the light You shine on my own heart

Ounsi El Hage (Lebanon, 1937), from “The messenger with her hair”, translated from the Arabic by Brandel France