Walid Abdallah’s translation of his own poem: شكوى – A Complaint (Arabic to English)


I sought the door of hope while people slept in peace,

And now I complain to my Lord for I find no release.


I said, "O my hope in every difficulty, 

To You, who I rely upon to relieve my misery.


I complain to You of matters You already know, 

I have neither the patience nor the strength to bear them, although.


I have stretched out my hands in humility and need, 

To You, O best of those to whom hands are stretched indeed.

So do not disappoint them, O Lord, in vain, 

For the sea of Your generosity quenches all who seek its gain.


When hardships advance with their armies near,

And life, after joy, inflicts its painful spear,


Do not seek a thing from brother or friend, 

Have you not seen your shadow walk with you till the end?


So raise your hands towards the sky above, 

To the Lord, when you call, He never fails to love.


Walid Abdallah is an Egyptian poet and author. He is a visiting professor of English language and literature in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, 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”. https://www.facebook.com/walid.abdallah.562, rezkw488@strose.edu

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