The Trumpet

The Trumpet

Jabra Ibrahim Jabra If I carried a trumpet to my mouth With which to electrify my shout, Even the mere clearing of my throat would have been Akin to the roar of a lion. But, like the people of our mountains, I still prefer a shout From the highest rock, A shout of the throat, To an instrument that can be bought and sold. The trumpet is hypocrisy Which submits to every deception. (Al-Madar al-Mughlaaq, Beirut 1964.) Zajel / An-Najah National University