Walid Abdallah‘s translation of his own poem: The Gift (Arabic to English)


For the first time I feel I am fortunate

God gave me the best gift to be my fate


With love water, you irrigate my soul

My heart grew in love with your call


I don't exaggerate, I weave my love into verse

I just make the left of my chest your universe


Only you have the key to live there forever

My heart beats only when we are together


Your love blossoms on my heart's wall 

On my chest, the letters of your name  crawl 


Your love pumps blood into my veins

You are the delicate breeze when it rains


Because of you, in life I have faith and belief

In your tender hug, I found comfort and relief


Forever, for you I am ready to wait

I never get bored at your heart's gate


If I have you, all my dreams come true

Between your arms, I never feel blue


I carry you everywhere I go deep in my chest 

I hold the first letter of your name tight in my fist 


Walid Abdallah is an Egyptian poet and author. He is a visiting professor of English language and literature in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Germany and the USA, his poetry includes “Go Ye Moon”, “The Queen of my Heart”, ” Dream” and “My Heart Oasis”. His books include Shout of Silence, Escape to the Realm of Imagination, The Egyptian Lane and Man Domination and Woman Emancipation, Arc and Seam and his co-translations with Andy Fogle of Farouk Goweda’s poetry have previously appeared in Image, RHINO, Reunion: Dallas Review, and Los Angeles Review. These translations won prestigious prizes in the USA like “Cause”, “Egypt’s Grief”, and “Strangers’ Cross”.

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