Apology

Apology

Mahmoud Darwish Translated by: Denys Johnson-Davies/The Music of Human Flesh. Of a childhood wedding I dreamt, I dreamt of two wide eyes, Of a girl with plaits I dreamt That was not for sale for mere piastres, I dreamt of the impregnable walls of your history, Of the smell of almonds I dreamt, Setting ablaze the sadness of long nights. I dreamt of my family, Of my sister’s arm, Embracing me, a hero’s sash, I dreamt of summer night, Of a basket of figs. I dreamt so much, So much I dreamt.        Forgive me, then.