Hell (جحيم)

By Ameer Hamad (tr. Hoda Ali)

We were expelled from the water

We were expelled from the fire

We are those born in hell

The planters of its tree

We have no right of access

To its hot stones

We work silently below

We cool the rocks with our bodies

And we throw away polished statues

Upwards

So that our passing brothers pick them up.