Walid Abdallah’s translation of his own poem: لماذا انت؟ – Why You? (Arabic to English)


When from you a single message finds its way, 

My troubles vanish, even in my darkest day.


As if you hold my hand and calm my fears,

You mend my scattered thoughts and dry my tears.


Your call, though I may not answer on the line,

Brings endless joy, a feeling so divine.


How much more if you were here each day,

Since you entered my life, a guiding ray.


It seems God sent you to comfort and to mend,

To ease my pain and wounds, my faithful friend.


With you, a feeling unique and so rare,

You've filled my days with love beyond compare.


You've given doses of happiness and care,

As if time stood still, as if you were always there.


Your entrance wasn't ordinary, it was fate,

Bringing joy that makes my heart elate.


May God keep you with me for my days to come,

Through storms of feelings, sometimes overcome.


If you can't forgive my faults, then leave if so,

But if you can, then bear with me as I grow.


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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