[منى هلال]

إليكم ترجمة "أنين الروح"
للأديبة زاهية بنت البحر
إلى الإنجليزية

The Laments of my soul

I stood with the others to bid you farewell before you went out to the departure lounge. 0

You were leaving the country that allowed us to meet. 0

How the world paled into insignificance then! how I had forsaken it! 0

I felt my pulse race with every call from the loud speaker announcing the arrival of an airplane or inviting the travelers to proceed to the departure lounge. 0

My grandmother held me tenderly to her heart, 0

showering me with her warm consoling kisses, 0
while you stood enveloped in your husband’s cautious embrace. 0

I reached out to touch you every now and again, 0

hoping to replenish my reserve of contentedness, 0
before you leave, 0
and before I return to my father’s house and to his wife;0

away from your sweet warm-tenderness, O’ mother!0

I tried to paint a smile on my lips to distance the feelings that were burning my heart and my mind away from your thoughts. 0

I looked into your eyes, they were bathed in tears. 0

I was amazed at how torment could be blended with joy, 0
and how fear could be mingled with patience!0

Leave your anguish at the airport; I will fight it alone,0

while I scoop the laments of my soul from my deprivation.0

Translated by Mona Helal

ترجمة منى هلال