The Walls of the Holy City (أسوار البلدة المقدّسة)

By Ameer Hamad (tr. Gabrielle Alvarez)

Boredom stopped me at the gate of the Holy City

I wanted to enter from all its gates at the same time

but did not succeed. I decreased the number each time, uselessly

I stood bewildered waiting for a glimmer in the wing of a dove

and when I was convinced to enter through the largest gate,

the rest of the gates came before me… and locked me out.