In company
we spoke in code,
in inklings
without ink.
Our eyes alone
let slip the ache—
like phantom scribbles on
the heart’s blank page.
[In company], Ulayya bint al-Mahdi, translated from the Arabic by Yasmine Seale
I keep his name
from everyone, but to my soul
I babble on and on
about this crazy passion.
How I long
for some deserted place
where I could shout his name!
[I keep his name], Ulayya bint al-Mahdi, translated from the Arabic by Yasmine Seale
