Psalm Three

Portrait of Mahmoud Darwish
Mahmoud Darwish 1941–2008

On the day when my words were earth... I was a friend to stalks of wheat.

On the day when my words were wrath I was a friend to chains.

On the day when my words were stones I was a friend to streams.

On the day when my words were a rebellion I was a friend to earthquakes.

On the day when my words were bitter apples I was a friend to the optimist.

But when my words became honey... flies covered my lips!...

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