رباعيات صالحچاهين

Salah Jahin's Quatrains

By/Salah Jahin

A very humble English translation

By/ Mohamed Khedr

I believe Salah Jahin is the greatest Egyptian artist ever lived (So far!!). And when I say “Artist” I'm referring to the fact that he wasn't trapped in only one form of art, no he was a universal artist!He was a human, a philosopher, a joker, a poet, a lyricist, a painter, a cartoonist, a scriptwriter, an actor and God knows what else he was!!

If Egypt with its 7000 years old civilization had the chance to speak, she would have spoken of the words of Salah Jahin! Indeed, he was the voice of the fertile Egyptian folklore. His poems - especially the quatrains - contained within their few lines many deep meanings which one would take a lifetime of meditating to realize them. So, his magnificent effort resulted in an excellently eloquent summarization of 7000 years of wisdom, meditating, philosophy, cultural and artistical activity.

The quatrains are written in the Egyptian dialect. They are short poems, each poem consists of only four lines (That's why they are called quatrains!) ending with the word "عجبي" pronounced "Agabee" which basically means "I wonder!!" but it also may have the following meanings:How strange, how confusing, how ironic, how funny, how silly or even how great! It depends on the quatrain's context!!

I never got bored of reading the quatrains again and again. There are many quatrains which I totally understood the first time I read them, there are some quatrains which I'm still understanding and there are few quatrains which I didn't acquire the necessary wisdom to fully understand them, yet! I'm just guessing what they may mean!!

Jahin's Quatrains weren't written on one time. He wrote them over long periods. So, each Quatrain stands as a whole and isn't related with another one (At least not intentionally!!). Each one discusses a certain idea which he had once; and since one's feelings is not the same every day, we would find that there are very optimistic cheerful quatrains which he wrote when he was happy.

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And we would also find some SUPERFICIALLY gloomy quatrains which he wrote while experiencing tough feelings!! In either cases the wisdom and eloquence within his words is undeniable! We would even find some quatrains where he describes himself along with many other things in very different ways! I'm really amazed by the way he marvels the contradictions within things and people in this world!!Hence, The Quatrains are reflections of Jahin's moods and feelings over long periods. So, there are comedic quatrains, tragic ones, happy ones, gloomy ones, optimistic ones, depressive ones, cheerful ones, painful ones, ones about success, ones about failure, ones about death and ones about life!

But all the quatrains no matter what they are discussing or reflecting, they all contain the same strangely homogeneous mixture of humor, sarcasm and wisdom!!

Salah Jahin was a perfect sarcastic philosopher! His sense of humor and sarcasm were his Mass Destruction Weapons with which he was able to defeat anything in this world!! Even in his most gloomy and sad moments he could make laughs out of irony to find the smallest ray of light in the deep darkness!!

These quatrains taught me a lot and they still do! That's why I believe it's a big misfortune to those who don't know Arabic that they won't be able to learn from such great item of literature. So, here comes my humble trial to translate Salah Jahin's Quatrains KNOWING for sure that my very humble proficiency of English is totally insufficient to translate such great meanings eloquently. Of course the translation killed the rhythm of the poetry but I tried as hard as possible to keep the meaning. After all it's just a humble trial to transmit Salah Jahin's production to all the humanity, and that's the least act I can ever do to show my gratitude to the genius artist and the philosopher who wrote these Quatrains, Salah Jahin.

February, 2010Mohamed Khedr

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#1طين أصل من الخلق كل إن مع

مغمضين بينزلوا كلهم والسنين و والشهور الدقايق بعد

طيبين ناس و أشرار ناس تالقيعجبي!!

Despite all humans originated from mudBorn with their eyes shut

After minutes, months and yearsSome turn evil and some turn good!

How strange!!

#2يهتكه نور شعاع غير من الضالم في انا و

أتركه وال بخوف مكاني أقفالدروب أشوف و النور ييجي لما و

أسلكه أيهم زيادة أحتارعجبي!!

In the darkness with no beam of light to breakI stand still, not daring to even shake

But when the light comes and I see the so many waysI get more confused, which way should I take!?

How strange!!

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#3ياه : قلت العدم م آدم ابن خرجياه : قلت للعدم آدم ابن رجع

تراب بيصير حي و بيحيا ترابالحياه وال الموت هو األصل

عجبي!!

Son of Adam came out of nothing, I said: WowSon of Adam returned to nothing, I said: Wow

Alive becomes dust and dust becomes aliveWhich is the origin, death or life?!

How strange!!

#4فيك طظ السما في عالي يا طير يا

مصطفيك ربنا تفتكرشى ماتعود للطين و دود بتاكل برضك .. فيك يمص و حلو يا فيه تمص

!!عجبي

Bird high in the sky, you're nothingDon't think that God has chosen you

You still eat worms and to mud you returnSo that you can suck it.. And it will suck you!

How strange!!

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#5البيوت ع البيبان قفل و الشتا دخلعنكبوت خيط الشمس شعاع جعل و

الشتا ليل في بتموت كتير حاجات وتموت بترفض أكتر حاجات لكن

عجبي!!

The winter came and locked the houses' doorsAnd made the Sun's rays a spider's webSo many things die in the winter's nightBut so much more things refuse to die!

How strange!!

#6بريش مفروش قش بيتك ات ياللي

. مفيش يصبح الريح عليه تقويكبار مخالب حواليك عليك عجبي

تعيش قادر و منقار غير مالكش وعجبي!!

You, whose house is straw carpeted with feathersIf the winds get a bit stronger... It becomes nothing

I wonder there are huge claws around youAnd you have nothing but a beak, yet you can survive!

How strange!!

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#7قلم يا السواد في سنك غمستألم يقطر شعر تكتب ما علشان

ليه .. و مجنون يا إيه جرالك مالكعلم و قلب و بيت و ورده رسمت

عجبي!!

You dipped your tip in the blackness, penTo write poetry dropping pain

What happened to you crazy one.. And why did youpaint a flower, a house, a heart and a flag!?

How strange!!

#8 .. عام ألف وال عمري لكن شاب أنا

زحام ضلوعي بين ولكن وحيدأنا مني خوفي ولكن خايف

! كالم مليان قلبي لكن و أخرسعجبي!!

I'm a youth.. but my age exceeds 1000 years!Alone, but inside my ribs there are crowds!Afraid, but my fear is from my own self!

Mute, but my heart is full of speech!How strange!!

#9غنوتك من ماتخافش عندليب يا

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بلوتك على احكي و شكوتك قولإنما تموتك ح مش الغنوة

! يموتك ح اللي هو الغنا كتمعجبي!!

Nightingale, don't fear your songSpeak out your complaint and tell about your disaster

The song won't kill youBut muting the song, is the thing which will kill you!

How strange!!

#10زمن .. يا عليك عجبي عليك عجبي

دما عيني مبكي يا البدع بو ياطريق لروحي أختار أنا إزاي

مرغما الحياة في داخل اللي انا وعجبي!!

I wonder how strange time could beIt's the source of all wonders, it makes my eyes cry blood

How could I choose a way for myself?And I even didn't have the choice to enter this life!?

How strange!!

#11ليل يا مغصوب صبح يا عليك مرغم

ميل كانلي وال برجليا دخلتها ال

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الحياة في انا دخلت شيل شايلنيشيل شايلني منها اخرج ح بكره و

عجبي!!

I'm compelled to go through mornings and nightsI neither had the choice to enter that life nor the desire to enter it

Carried on hands that's how I entered lifeAnd tomorrow I'll leave life carried on shoulders

How strange!!

#12فوج بعد فوج عليا فايته و سنواتزوج التانية و إبن خدتني واحدة

إيه الرابعة و خدتني أب التالتة ولموج؟ موج بيحدفه اللي يعمل إيه

عجبي!!

Years pass on me in groupsOnce I'm a son then I'm a husband

After that I'm a father then what!?What can one do when he is thrown by waves to waves?

How strange!!

#13انشغلت و كتير الملكوت في نظرت

( ) ( سألت ( عشانيه و ليه؟ كلمة بكل وسؤال .. يرجع الرد سؤال اسألدخلت مما أشد حيرتي و اخرج و

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عجبي!!

I meditated a lot in the universeAnd I asked many (Why?) and (For what reason?) questions

Each time I ask a question .. The answer returns another question!

And I give up and leave more confused than I had been before asking!!

How strange!!

#14اندفن السعيد فيه رخام ضريح

كفن غير من شريد فيها حفره وللعجب .. يا قلت عليهم مريت

العفن نفس فيها ريحتهم التنينعجبي!!

A marble tomb where a well-off was buriedAnd a hole where a homeless was buried without a coffin

I passed by both of them.. And I wonderedBoth of them smell the same stench!

How strange!!

#15صحبتهمش وما صحاب صادفت ياما

شربتهمش وما شراب و خمور وكاساتسبتهم انا الل الفرص على أندم

سبتهمش ما اللي الفرص على واالعجبي!!

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So many times I met friends and I didn't befriend,And chalices of booze and drinks which I didn't drink

Should I regret the chances which I left?Or should I regret the chances which I hadn't leaved!?

How strange!!

#16حدود غير من موجود كيف ده الكون و

دود و تعابين و ليه عقارب فيه وسالمات قال و فات مجرب عالم

ردود  ده غير من سؤاالت فيه ياماعجبي!!

How does this universe exist endlessly!?And why does it have scorpions, snakes and worms!?

An experienced scientist passed by and said: Hellooo!!There are loads of questions that don't have answers!!!

How strange!!

#17أمان مالهوش قلبي يا الزمان غدر

إيمان لحبة تحتاج يوم حاييجي و .. بإيه؟ أأمن سألني و ارتجف قلبي

زمان بقالي محتار بإيه أأمنعجبي!!

I told my heart to be on guard from Time's betrayalAnd that a day would come when my heart would need some

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faithMy heart shivered and asked me.. What should I have faith in?I'm so confused since too long ago, what should I have faith in?

How strange!!

#18الدخول .. إمتى مقفول أيا باب يا

ينول يصبر اللي و ياما صبرت : مين؟ .. لي يرجع الرد و سنين دقيتأقول .. كنت أنا مين عارف كنت لو

عجبي!!

I asked the closed door .. When will it allow me to come in?I've been patient for so long and the patient gets what he seeks

I knocked for years.. And the reply returns: Who's knocking?If I know who I am.. I would say!

How strange!!

#19الغابات في اعيش لو و اعيش أحبابات و أمي ولدتني كما أصحى

اعيش.. .. .. .. بس بشر حشرة حوان طائرنبات .. هيئة في حتى الحياة محال

عجبي!!

I love to live even if I had to live in junglesI wake up and sleep just like the way my mother gave birth to

meA bird .. An animal.. An insect.. A human.. I just want to live

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I love life.. Even in the form of a plantHow strange!!

#20طفت و لفيت وياما ليالي سهير

شفت قمت الضالم في راجع ليله وفالطريق .. سد كلب كأنه الخوف

أقتله .. عاوز كنت خفت  و بسعجبي!!

I'm a person who stays up for many nights and I wandered a lotOne night on my way home I saw in the darkness

Fear .. It looked like a dog blocking the wayAnd I wanted to kill it.. But I got afraid!

How ironic!!

#21فرسخين طول سحلية زمان فيه كانبربخين خشمها و عيونها كهفين

مات.. عمره لم الرعب لكين ماتتتاريخين التاريخ بدل فات إنه مع

عجبي!!

Long ago there was a lizard two leagues tall!Its eyes were two caves and its mouth was two culverts!

It died.. But horror never died!Although more time than history itself had passed!

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How strange!!

#22الورق كالم من كلمة عجبتني

برق و حروفها بين من شرق النورحرام .. قالت قلبي ف أشيلها حبيت

اتحرق فيه دخلت قلب كل أنا دهعجبي!!

I admired a word from papers' wordsLight came out from between its letters and shined

I liked to keep it in my heart.. It said: Pity!?Each heart I entered became burnt!

How strange!!

#23انحشر فيها قلبي و قزازة رقبة

عشر خامس و اتنين و كاس شربتوحوش ترجع الخمرة م ناس صاحبت

بشر ترجع الخمرة م ناس صاحبت وعجبي!!

My heart got stuck in a bottleneckI had a drink then two, till fifteen

I befriended people who return monsters by boozeAnd I befriended people who return humans by booze

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How strange!!

#24جنون صابهم الخمارة في اللي كلالمنون كاس يتبادلوا الرجال صبحوا

الجدار ع انكتب نبيت و بدم و" حنون" قلبه اللي ع ندامة ميت يا

عجبي!!

Everybody in the tavern got madThe men passed the cup of death from one to another

With blood and wine it was written on the wall"What a pity for he whose heart is kind"

How strange!!

#25الشقيق دم بيمص الشقيق قالوا

حقيق و بحق ناس ماهياش والناسحجر غيره جبت و رميته قلبي

رقيق ... قلبي رجعت و الحجر دابعجبي!!

They said that the brother sucks his brother's blood!And people aren't real humans!

I threw away my heart and replaced it with a stoneThe stone dissolved.. And I got back my delicate heart

How strange!!

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#26فسد .. قالوا سمعوني آه قلت يوم

اتحسد و حديد قلبه جدع كان دهآه ... قلت و أنا الاليمين على رديت

األسد زئير معني تعرفوا لوعجبي!!

One day I ouched ... They heard me and said: He became weakHe used to be a brave one whose heart is iron, but not anymore

I replied to these blamers and said ... OuchYou would be so confused if you knew the real meaning of the

lion's roar!How strange!!

#27النيران .. و النيران بين موت و موت بين

الجبان و الشجاع ماشيين الحبل عللعجب .. يا و حياة عالدي عجبي - بهلوان - بقيت تخين يا أنا إزاي

عجبي!!

Between one verge of death and another verge of another death ... between the different fires

There's a rope on which both the brave and the coward walkI wonder this life.. And how strange!

How could I - despite being fat - become an acrobat!How strange!!

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#28جرس أصبح شخشيخة كان قلبي أنا

الحرس و الخدم صحيوا به جلجلتليه .. خفتو ليه قمتو المهرج أنافرس مني تحت وال سيف إيدي الف

عجبي!!

My heart used to be a sistrum, then it become a bellWhen I jingled with it, the servants and guards waked up!I'm the clown.. Why did you stand up? Why did you get

scared!?I neither have a sword in my hand nor a horse below me!

How strange!!

#29حزين لقاني يضحك الربيع دخل

مين قلت لم اسمي على الربيع ندهراح و جنبي أزهاره الربيع حط

للميتين األزهار تعمل إيش وعجبي!!

The spring came laughing and found me sadThe spring called my name but I didn't reply

The spring put its flowers beside me then gone awayWhat would flowers do for the died!?

How strange!!

#30الضياع و األلم بخربوش مهبوش

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انتزاع الضلوع م منزوع و قلبيضحكتي بترسمي اللي يا مرايتي ياقناع واال وش ده هلترى يا

عجبي!!

Bitten by the scratch of pain and lossmy heart which is tore out from the ribs.

My mirror, you draw my laugh, could you tell me?Is that a face or a mask!?

How strange!!

#31حنان.. غير من حب لكن حبيت

أمان مالهاش صحبه لكن صاحبت وبلوتي لقيت اكتر و لحكيم رحتاللسان ع مش القلب جوه اللي إن

عجبي!!

I loved.. But it was a love without kindness.And I befriended, but it was a company whom can't be trusted.

I went to many wise men, and I found that my disaster is,The tongue doesn't speak out the heart's core!

How strange!!

#32سفر دايما بينا ما حبيبتي يا ليه

يغتفر ال كبير ذنب البعد دهبحور دايما بينا ما حبيبتي يا ليه

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اتحفر غيره أالقي بحر أعديعجبي!!

Why do we always have distances between us, my love!?Being distant is a big unforgivable sin

Why do we always have seas between us, my love!?Each time I cross a see I found that another one had been dug!

How strange!!

#33مفتوحين عين ألف شباك كل ورا

الحزين غرامي يا ماشيين انتي و انا وحجر بضربة نموت التصقنا لو

متحسرين نموت افترقنا لو وعجبي!!

Behind each window there are 1000 open eyesWhile you and I are walking, my sad love

If we stick together, a single thrown stone could kill us!And if we got apart, the heartbreak would kill us!

How strange!!

#34استمر الطوفان و لحاله راح نوح

بر القية مش لسة تايهة مركبنااألمان بر يا آهين و الطوفان م آهشر غرقانة الدنيا و تبان إزاي

عجبي!!

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Noah went in his way and the flood continuesOur ship is lost, still can't find land

Oh from the flood and ooooooh from the safety landHow could the safe land appear while the world is sinking in

evil!?How strange!!

#35احتملت .. ما له نظرت دم رجلي على

: وصلت .. لم ليه؟ سألت دم إيدي علىدم راسي على حتى و دم كتفي على

اتقتلت؟ .. .. واال قتلت؟ دم كلى أناعجبي!!

There's blood on my legs.. I couldn't stand looking at itThere's blood on my hands..I asked: Why? Yet, I couldn't

understandThere's blood on my shoulder and even on my head

I'm entirely covered with blood .. Did I kill?.. Or was I killed?How strange!!

#36عذبوه .. فالن أسمع يوم كل أنا

اتوه و الجزاير و بغداد في أسرحالعذاب بجسمه يطيق اللي م اعجبش ماأخوه يعذب يطيق اللي من اعجب و

عجبي!!

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Every day I hear.. They tortured someoneI think about Baghdad and Algeria and get lost.

I don't find it strange that somebody can stand torture with his body.

But I'm totally astonished from he who stands torturing his own brother!

How strange!!

#37عنه سمعت أنا الحواديت في و ينبوع .. لكنه لهاليب وسط ف و عجيب إنه

كم لقيت .. اشقيت طريقي الفرسانمنه شربوا الكالب و الخنازير حتى

عجبي!!

A marvelous spring in tales I heard of itA wonder.. In the middle of flames, but

When I set off my way to it like knights.. I found thatEven pigs and dogs had drunk of it!

How strange!!

#38سما قبة لهش ما شمس قرص يانما و شب أرض غير من ورد يا

عليه سمعنا جميل معني أي يامؤلمة حياه عايشين ليه الخلق

عجبي!!

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You, disk of the Sun which has no sky domeYou, flowers which grew even without ground

You, any beautiful meaning we have ever heard ofCould any of you tell, why are the people living a painful life!?

How strange!!

#39األمل له وصف جرحي الطبيب شافاندمل ما دوب يا مقام منه عطاني و

لهيب جرحي و طبيب يا جديد مجروحالعمل؟ .. إيه و مني فرغ دواك و

عجبي!!

The physician examined my cut and prescribed Hope for itAnd he gave me a little dose which barely cured it

But again the cut was opened painful like flames, physicianAnd I ran out of your medicine.. What should be done?

How strange!!

#40الحسن و الجمال هي عيون أعرفبالحضن القلوب تاخد عيون اعرف و

كتير عيون و قاسية و مخيفة عيون وبالحزن كلهم فيهم باحس و

عجبي!!

I know eyes which are Beauty itselfAnd I know eyes which hug hearts

And scary and cruel eyes and so many other eyes21

And I feel sadness inside all of them!How strange!!

#41ده كل فوق نفسي يا تطلبي إيش

متنكدة انتي و بيضحك حظك : للبشر قول النفس لي قالت رددتكده حزينة بعيون يبصوليش ما

عجبي!!

What else do you want besides all what you have, my soul!?You are so lucky to have such good conditions and blesses, yet

you are sad!My soul replied: Tell humans

Not to look at me with such sad eyesHow strange!!

#42تلف ارفض و تور يا غماك إقلع

تف و اشتم و الساقيه تروس إكسركمان: .. .. خطوة و كمان خطوة بس قال

يجف البير يا السكة نهاية اوصل ياعجبي!!

Take off the black tape on your eyes, bull. And refuse to lapBreak the runnel's gears, curse and spit

He said: Just one more step.. Then one more stepEither I'll reach the end of the way or the well will get dry!

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How strange!!

#43الضياع بحر تحت قمقم يا حزين يا

مستطاع إيه و زيك أنا حزينجدع يا جالل بقالهوش ما الحزن

الصداع .. زي البرد زي الحزنعجبي!!

You, sad bottle blew the loss seaI'm sad like you and what can be done!?

Sadness doesn't have lordliness anymore, dudeSadness is like flu.. Like headache

How strange!!

#44سيبوه يفكر قاعد الفليسوفتصلبوه وال سلطان تعملوه ال

ياهوه الفالسفة إن تعرفوش مايكدبوه؟ بيرجعوا يقولوه اللي

عجبي!!

The philosopher is thinking, leave himNeither make him a sultan nor crucify him

People, don't you know? ThatThe philosophers always change their minds and deny what they

say!How strange!!

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#45أرضنا من ميل مليون بعد على

أنا بصيت الكوني الفراغ منبحور أو جبال بين ما فرق شفت ال

هنا أو عذاب بين ما فرق شفت والعجبي!!

One million miles away from our EarthIn the universal space, I looked

I neither saw a difference between mountains and seasNor a difference between agony and felicity

How strange!!

#46أجهلك ما إنسان أيا إنسان

أضألك ما و الكون في أتفهك مانجوم ماليين و سدوم و قمر و شمس

لك؟ مخلوقه موهوم يا فاكرها وعجبي!!

Human, you are such an ignorant creatureYou are too tiny and too insignificant in this universeA Sun, a moon, many galaxies and millions of stars

Still do you delusively think that they were all created for you!?How strange!!

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#47ساير انا و للنجوم فوقي نظرت

الحجاير و الخفر في عترت رجليا : سالم يا التراب ع أنا و أقول بقيتعباير لكن أخدت عبره بس مش

عجبي!!

While I was walking I looked up to the starsMy legs stumbled in the holes and stones, and I fell

I kept saying while I was lying on the dust: Very wellIt wasn't just a lesson, they were lessons

How strange!!

#48بيرتجف؟ .. كده ليه نورك نجم يا ــ

تختلف؟ .. أو زيت؟ قنديل انت هوقوي .. عالي بس عالي نجم أنا ــ

انحدف اخاف تحت انظر ما كل وعجبي!!

-Star, why does your light tremble?Are you just another oil lamp?!.. Or do you differ?

*I'm a high star.. But so highEach time I look down I fear to fall!

How strange!!

#49يضر؟ .. منين الدوا في كان لو السم

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يسر؟ .. .. منين لعدونا لو و الموت وكمان اكتب و الحبر في القلم حط

حر؟.. .. هو منين للشهوات العبد وعجبي!!

If poison was one of the medicine's ingredients .. How come it may do any harm!?

And death .. Even for our enemies .. How come it may cause any pleasure!?

Dip the pen in the ink and write also ..He who is a slave to lusts.. How can he be called a freeman!?

How strange!!

#50قنطرة على شطين بين وقفت

ترى يا فين الصدق و فين الكدبقال .. و لي خرج الحوت اموت ح محتار

بالمسطرة؟ يتقاس الكالم هوعجبي!!

I stood on a bridge between two shoresWhich is truth and which is lie?

The confusion was about to kill me.. A whale came out and said:How could it ever crossed your mind that speech might be

measured using a scale!?How strange!!

#51طويل الوالدة مستشفى في سردابعويل و باب كل ورا عذاب صرخات

26

البنات.. متزوقين الطريق في والمواويل و للحب متزوقينعجبي!!

A long passage in the delivery hospitalWhere screams of pain come from behind all the doors

Yet, girls in the roads are getting all dressed upEagerly dressed up for love and its consequences..

How strange!!

#52لإلنتظار كبيرة أوده الدنيا

الحمار زي زيه آدم ابن فيهامشترك .. الملل و واحد الهم

اإلنتحار بيحاول حمار مفيش وعجبي!!

Life is just a big waiting roomWhere son of Adam is as same as the donkey

One worry .. And the boredom is commonBut no donkey ever tries to commit suicide!

How strange!!

#53العلل بكلل البين رماه أيوب

شلل عنده و مرضان سنين سبعشفاه .. أيوب صبر طيب الصبرالملل بفعل مات األكاده بس

27

عجبي!!

Jacob's fate was to be sick with all the diseasesSick and palsied for seven years

Patience is good .. Jacob's patience cured himBut the sure thing that it was boredom which killed him

How strange!!

#54الوشوش بتكوي لكن ربيع نسمة

عشوش غير من بس جميلة طيوروحدها .. إنما بتخفق قلوب

الفاشوش .. في كلها كده الحياه هيعجبي!!

A spring's whiff but it burns the facesBeautiful birds but they have no nests

Pulsing hearts.. But lonely onesThat's life.. It doesn't make any sense

How strange!!

#55القمر م شعاع مضروب جريح كروان

انكسر فؤاده السموات من سقطتبلعه علشان قطة عليه جريت

أثر مالوهش و شعراء خيال أتاريهعجبي!!

28

A wounded curlew hit by a moon's rayIt fell from the sky with broken heart

A cat ran to swallow itIt appeared to be nothing but poets' imagination which has no

trace!How strange!!

#56النبيت بشرب الناس نصحت ياللي

حديت .. و ضحك، و عود، و حلوة بنت معيكسبوا منين تنصحهم كنت مش

نسيت .. يمكن واال كله؟ ده تمنعجبي!!

You, who advised people to drink wineWith a pretty girl, music, laughs and talking

You should have advised them about how to earnThe price of all such things? .. Or maybe you’d just forgot!?

How strange!!

#57جزاته واخد دي الدنيا في حد ما

لذاذاته غير في بيفكر حد والمين؟ .. انتي و أنا حبيبتي يا تعرفيش ما

بذاته النيل انا و النيل عروس إنتيعجبي!!

Nobody in this world is fairly paidAnd nobody thinks about anything other than his own pleasures

29

Don't you know, my love.. Who are you and who am I?You are the Nile's bride.. And I'm the Nile himself

How strange!!

#58نغم غير من رقصه و خرسا رقاصه

الندم .. قبل يصالحها مين يا دنياال يعني بوجهها تهز ساعتين

نعم يعني نهديها يترجرجواعجبي!!

A dumb dancer and a dance without tonesThat's life.. Who doesn't want to reconcile her before

regretting!?Many times when she shakes her face meaning NO

Her breasts shakes meaning YESHow strange!!

#59الحصان ع تحبني ياللي إخطفني

الزمان ماضي في يوم قالت الدنياالفرس ع تحبني ياللي إخطفنيالشيطان .. خطفها قام قالت الدنيا

عجبي!!

You, who love me take me on your horseOnce upon a time, life said:

"You, who love me take me on your horse"And when life said so.. The Devil grabbed her!

30

How strange!!

#60لك شقشقت و الشيش شقوق بين من

لك زقزقت و العصافير شهقة معنعمليه .. شوف قوم أنا جديد نهاراقتلك .. ح يا تقتلني ح يا قلت انا

عجبي!!

Through the window's blinds I rose for youWith the sparrows' chirping I chirped for you

I'm a new morning .. Rise and see what are we going to do!?I said: You'll either kill me.. Or I'll kill you

How strange!!

#61دواه الكاس في و ناس يا عليل قلبي

حواه اللي م شربت إيدي له مديتاتوجع .. اليمين خف الشمال جنبيكواه اللي م الكبد يداوي إيه و

عجبي!!

People, my heart is sick and its medicine is in the chaliceI stretched my hand to it and drank its contentsMy left side was cured.. My right side ached

And what can cure the liver from what had ironed it!?How strange!!

31

#62سنين من كتبتها و مذكرات ديالحنين بحور لون زرقا نوته في

المهمالت .. في رميتها فيها عترتمخبولين كالم صحيح أما قلت و

عجبي!!

These are notes which I wrote years agoIn blue notebook colored like the seas of nostalgia

When I stumbled in it.. I threw it in the trashThen I said:"Indeed, it was fools' speech"

How Strange!!

#63ميته ربيع غير من الدنيا ــمفتفته و ضعفانه شجر ورقة

شوف* و تأمل غلطان جدع يا ألالشتا عز في طالع الشتا زهر

عجبي!!

-Without Spring life is deadLike a weak tree's leaf fragmented

*No, dude. You are mistaken. Meditate wellwinter's flowers bloom no matter what winter did!

How strange!!

32

#64المحيط جوه ميه نقطة سمعت

الغويط في تزليش ما لنقطة بتقولانا .. قلت الغرق م عليكي أخاف

عبيط يبقى الوعد م يخاف اللي دهعجبي!!

I heard a drop of water inside the oceanIt was saying to another drop:"Don't dive to the deeps

I fear you would drown”.. I saidWhoever fears destiny is a fool

How strange!!

33

#65وجود موقف وقفت و أوان جالكتجود بده يا قلبي يا بده تجود ياشيء كل على يبقى يقدر حد ماموجود - - شيء كل عجبي إن مع

عجبي!!

Time came and you stood on a situation of existenceYou have to donate either this or that, my heart

Nobody can keep everythingDespite - strangely - everything exists!

How strange!!

#66الجنايز مشي عرفت و أوان جالك

اللذايذ رب عبد يا شفتها كيفأمير : أو فقير بالحيل شيل شفت قال

القزايز فواضي الخمامير في شالوا كماعجبي!!

The time came and you knew what walking in funerals isHow did you see funerals, you who're the slave of pleasures'

god?He said: I saw the way of carrying either a poor or a prince

The same way the empty bottles are carried in taverns!How strange!

#67شئ ثم شئ صبحت و شئ كنت أنا

34

شئ .. كل على قادر ربنا شوف: قال وشوشني و شواشيه الشجر هز

شئ يحيا عشان شئ يموت ما البدعجبي!!

I used to be something, then I became another thing, then another thing

Indeed, our Lord.. Is capable of doing everythingThe trees shook their branches and whispered to me saying:

Something must die so that something could liveHow strange!!

#68عليك أمانة الجراح مشرط ياحواليك من تبص حشايا ف انت و

تبان بدأت قلبي في سوده نقطه فيهإليك .. يرجع الفضل و كمان شيلها

عجبي!!

Surgeon's blade, would you promise me?To look around you while you are inside my body

There is a black spot appearing in my heartAmputate it too.. And I'll be grateful for you

How strange!!

#69طبيب يا النبي و قلبي شفت كيفدبيب له سامع واال مات و همد

بالدموع مختنق لقيته قاللي

35

حبيب إيد من لمسه غير دوا ومالوشعجبي!!

How did you find my heart, doctor?Is it silenced and dead or do you still hear its pulsing?

He said: I found it chocking with tearsAnd its only medicine is to be touched by a beloved one's hand

How strange!!

#70الحطب عود يا الخوخ غصن يا تسلم

عجب .. زهورك تطلع الربيع ييجيربيع ييجي و ربيع بيمضي ليه انا و

خشب حتة قلبي برضك لسه وعجبي!!

You are to be praised - leaf of plums – despite being just a stick of wood

Each Spring .. Your flowers are magically bloomed!I wonder how Spring come and go

Yet, my heart remains nothing but a piece of wood!How strange!!

#71الحياه بغرقى مليان الحياه بحر

ماله حلقي في الموج خش صرخت .. ! مفيش قالوا صرخت نجاه قاربنجاه قارب الحب هو بس غير

36

عجبي!!

The sea of life is full of the drowned of lifeI shrieked, the waves got into my throat and filled it

I shrieked for a rescue boat!.. They said there aren't anyNothing but Love is a rescue boat

How strange!!

#72الحديد الدروع جوه وحيد فارس

نشيد له قال و عصفور عليه رفرفجدع .. يا لفين لفين و منين منينبعيد رايح لسه و بعيد من قال

عجبي!!

A lonely knight inside the iron shieldsA sparrow flew over him and sang him a song

From where? From where?.. And to where? To where, dude?He replied: From far away and I'm still heading even much

furtherHow strange!!

#73الحمام فرخ كأنه قمر فيه كان

الغمام شق شعاع دق صغره علىينصرك له قلت حاضر كنت أنا

التمام بدر تبقى ح لما إشحالعجبي!!

37

There was a young moon like a baby doveFrom its cheek a ray of light came out and cracked the clouds

I was there, I said to it: Well done!I wonder what you will be capable of when you become the full

moon!How strange!!

#74اندلع نط الفهد زي النهد

انخلع و الضلوع بين انهبش قلبيفعلها عن البنت نهيت دياللي

دلع تبطل كمان للطبيعة قولعجبي!!

The breast jumped like a leopardMy heart was grabbed and bitten despite being inside the ribs!

You, who forbade the girl to do her actionCould you also tell the nature to stop coddling!?

How strange!!

#75بدن كأنه اإليه بنت يا صوتك

الشجن يمحي الهم يزيح يرقصكالم كأنه بدنك و حلوتي يا

الزمن نسيوا سكروا فالسفه كالمعجبي!!

Amazing girl, your voice is like a bodyWhen it dances it removes worry and wipes out sadness

38

And your body is like speech, my sweetySpeech of drunk philosophers who forgot time

How strange!!

#76انجلد منه قلبي و سعاده كرباجالبلد لف و حصان كأنه رمح

ليه .. سأألني و اليل نص لي رجع وولد يا سعيد انك تقول خجالن

عجبي!!

A whip of happiness by which my heart was whippedMy heart ran like a horse all around the country

And it returned to me by midnight and asked me.. Why?Why are you ashamed to say that you are happy, boy!?

How strange!!

#77انغمر فيها الكون هاديه مزيكه

سمر و فل عقد و ليل و صيف ومبسوطين كلهم الناس هلترى يا

القمر؟ جمال شايفين هلترى يا وعجبي!!

A quiet music in which the universe divedA summer, a night, a necklace of jasmine and a gathering at

nightI wonder, are all humans happy!?

39

Are they even happy enough to meditate and enjoy the moon's beauty!?

How strange!!

#78للجمال غنوتك قلبي يا إنشد

للشمال اليمين من صدري في ارقص وسعيد لبكرة تفضل بعيد هوش ما

احتمال ألف فيه يوم كل دهعجبي!!

My heart, for beauty make your chantAnd dance everywhere inside my chest from right to left

It's very likely that tomorrow you will remain happyEach day does have one thousand thing to expect!

How strange!!

#79الفضا جزنا محبوبي و أنا لو آه

رضا .. أشيا و وحدينا سفينة فيلها نرجع تعجبنا صفا ساعة

مضى ... يبقى ييجي ما قبل الهم وعجبي!!

I wish if I could wander the space with my belovedBoth of us alone on a spaceship ..

When we like a moment of purity we return to itAnd worry goes away.. Even before it comes

How strange!!

40

#80الهيام رب الوجود إله أنا

الغرام هم و الوهم بسهم أضربلذيذ هو ما كتر من الغرام هم و

السهام جميع صدري ف أنا رشقتعجبي!!

I'm the god of the universe, the god of amativenessI strike with the arrows of illusion and worries of romance

And worries of romance are so deliciousThat I darted all the arrows inside my chest!

How strange!!

#81خنفسه عن و جعران عن حدوته

مسا ساعة بعض حبوا اتقابلواحرام عيب اختشوا حد لهم قال ال و

متدنسه عالقة دي قال حد ال وعجبي!!

A tale about a couple of beetlesThey met together and loved each other at night

Nobody told them to be ashamed or that it's forbiddenAnd nobody said: "This is a sacrilegious relationship"

How strange !!

41

#82انطوى و يوم الحب عرفت يالليالهوى لنبع مشتاق تقول حسكالغرام لنبع مشتاق تقول حسك

ارتوي .. .. قطره منه داق مين الحب دهعجبي!!

You, who knew love even for only one dayNever say that you miss the spring of passion

Never say that you miss the spring of loveLove.. Whoever tastes a drop it.. Totally quench his thirst

How strange!!

#83مزعجة سيارات أبواق و زحام

.. نجا يبقى رصيف له يطول إلليأنا حبيب يا جنبي كنت لومبهجه؟ الحياة إن اشوف كنت مش

عجبي!!

Crowds and noisy cars' hornsOnly he who could make his way to a pavement.. Survives!

If you had been next to me my loveWouldn't I have seen that life is cheerful!?

How strange!!

#84

42

طرب قلبي و جيوبي في إيديامغترب مش بس غربة في سارح

كده ماشي و ونسان لكين وحديباقترب ... ... أو أعرفش ما بإبتعد و

عجبي!!

My hands are in my pockets and my heart is liltingRambling far away from my home although I'm not abroad!

Having no company, yet not feeling alone!Walking away ... I don't know ... Or walking closer!

How strange!!

#85الخال القلوب ع ندامه ميت ياوال كراهه وال فيها محبة ال

فيك عادش ما الحزن قلبي يا حتىتتمال ... راح برضه يوم لك معلهش

عجبي!!

Pity for empty heartsThey contain neither love nor hatred!

Even sadness, you don't have it inside you, my heart!It's ok ... Surely a day will come and you will become filled

How strange!!

#86مرحبه ربيع مرحب ربيع مرحب

حبا و ناغا دمي ف للي يا طفل يا43

هويت صغنن يا عيونك علشاناألغربه و األرض ديدان حتى

عجبي!!

Welcome Spring, welcome springYou baby, who sang and crawled in my blood

Only for your eyes, babyI loved everything even the crows and the worms of the ground!

How strange!!

#87الصباح لشمس شباكي فتحت

الرياح عويل غير منه دخلش ماباأللم أبوح عشان قلبي فتحت وسماح و محبه غير منه خرجش ما

عجبي!!

I opened my window for the morning's sunNothing came through it but winds' wails!And I opened my heart to speak of pain

Nothing came out of it but Love and Forgiveness!How strange!!

#88اشتياق في اشتياق عمري الذي انافراق محطة في داخل قطر و

سم شربت و السم نبع قصدت44

الترياق في عشمي و شوقي كتر منعجبي!!

I'm the one whose life is all about eagernessAnd a train entering a station of crossroads

I went to the source of poison and drank poisonBecause I was too eager and longing for the antidote

How strange!!

#89مضيعة الزمن عشت الذي انا

مضعضعه معفنة حزينة بروحانجرح لجل سنط شجرة زرعت

مفرعة و البنت شعر لقيتهاعجبي!!

I'm the one who wasted his lifetimeLiving with a weak rotten sad soul

I planted an Acacia tree so that its thrones would cut meI found that its branches are the girl's hair

How strange!!

#90أمن و طمان و األرض في سالم فيه لوجبن و خوف وال فقر ال و مفيش كان لو

شئ كل مصير االنسان يملك لوإبن ألف ميت للدنيا أجيب كنت انا

عجبي!!45

If there were peace and safety on Earth!If there weren't any poverty, fear nor cowardice!If man was controlling the destiny of everything!I would have brought 100,000 sons to this world!

How strange!!

#91نخ و للنسيم طاطا العشب

أخ الحسن في مالهش طري أخضرغنا .. و بهجة غاوي أنا عبيط عصفورفخ .. يهبرني لله انشا و هنا انزل ح

عجبي!!

The grass bowed and knelt for the whiffsDespite the grass is green, flexible and has no match in beauty

But I'm a silly sparrow.. Seduced by glamor and singingI'll land here.. Even if there was a trap going to trap me

How strange!!

#92الزهور و بالقمر إبني يا أوصيك

المسحور القاهرة بليل أوصيكفل .. عقد إشتري بالك في جيت إن و

تزور ... إوعك قبري و سمرا أليعجبي!!

My son, my will for you is the moon and the flowers46

And always appreciate Cairo's enchanted nightsAnd if you ever remembered me.. Buy a necklace of jasmine

For a tanned skin girl ... But never visit my graveHow strange!!

#93دلع و بخفة ارقص و عنيك غمض

الجدع انت و الشابة هي الدنياتعبدك خطوتك رشاقة تشوف

تقع .. لرجليك بصيت لو انت لكعجبي!!

Close your eyes and dance with agility and coddlingLife is the girl and you are the man

When SHE sees the elegance of your steps, she worships youBut if YOU look at your own legs.. You fall

How strange!!

#94لها حاسب و األحزان من حاسب

حبلها من رقابيك على حاسبتنتهي راح البد و تنتهي راح

قبلها؟ من أحزان انتهت مشعجبي!!

Watch out from depressions and do take careWatch out for your neck from their rope

47

They will end, they'll surely doHaven't some depressions ended before?

How strange!!

48

#95حر إنت و إيديك بين صبرك و يأسك

تمر راح الحياة تيأس ما تيأسلقيت عجبي مندا و مندا دقت أنا

مر اليأس برضك و مر الصبرعجبي!!

To give up or struggle, it's totally up to youWhether you give up or not, life continues to flow

I tasted this & that and I strangely foundThat patience is bitter so is despair, too

How strange!!

#96اتنبح صوتي لما نصحتك ولدي

شبح من وال جني من تخافش ماإسأله قتيل عفريت فيك هب ان و

اندبح؟ ما يوم نفسه عن ليه دافعش ماعجبي!!

My boy, I advised you till my throat achedFear neither any genie nor any spirit

And if a ghost of a murdered fellow appeared before you, ask him

Why didn't he defend himself the day he was slaughtered?How strange !!

49

#97بالون ميت البالون بدل إليك ولديلون كل على فيه طرقع و انفخالرجال مصير بعنيك تشوف عساك

البنطلون و السترة في المنفوخينعجبي!!

My boy, here are you not only one but 100 balloonsBlow and blow up from all colors

So that you could see with your own eyes the destiny of menWho are puffed in suits and trousers

How strange!!

#98خاض ما جدك زي معركتها خوض

بامتعاض شفتك قالب و صالباألمل .. منها تنولش ما كده هيمخاض وجاع و رد و صد بعد غير

عجبي!!

Fight her battle the way your grandfather foughtWith solid resentful lips

That's how things work with her.. You can get Hope from herOnly after striking, shoving and pains of combat

How strange!!

#99الصخور نحت في نيل يا اشتغلت كام

50

هاتور مليون ألف و بئونه مليونخلفتك من و حالل ابن أنا نيل يااألمور بس على صعيبه ليه و

عجبي!!

Nile, you have been carving the rocks since so long!For more than one million Junes and one billion Novembers!

Nile, I belong to your virtuous breed But, why do I find matters too tough for me?

How strange!!

#100متألمة كلمة أجيبها منينمصممة و حايره فايره لعبية

أرض بنت تكون كلمة أجيب منينالسما كالم شفاهوش ما اللى تشفى

عجبي!!

Form where could I get such a suffering word!?Tending to play, effervescent, confused and determined

From where on Earth could I get such a word!?Which can cure what heaven's words couldn't cure!

How strange!!

#101معنين لها كان و كلمة قلت أنا

شين و زين توأمين و واحده بطن كما

51

يموت .. الخير التوأم شر دنيا لوالشر .. خير دنيا منين؟  لو يعيش ح

عجبي!!

I've said a word which have two meaningsLike a single abdomen having two twins, a good one and an evil

oneIf it's an evil world.. The good twin dies

If it's a good world.. How will the evil twin live!?How strange!!

#102اغتوى المحال باألمر اللي أنا

الهوا في لفوق نطيت القمر شفتيهمني أنا إيه طلتوش ما طلته

ارتوى ... قلب بالنشوة دام ما وليهعجبي!!

I've been with the impossible possessedUpon the sight of the moon, so high I jumped

And whether I reach it or not, should I ever thinkWhile my heart is already with ecstasy drunk

How strange!!

#103برق و أمطار و غيم كان القزاز بره

فرق - - عندي وال قلت انا يهمنيش مازمان ساعة بعد رأيي غيرت

52

خرق ... الجزمة وفي الشارع في كنت وعجبي!!

Outside the window there were clouds, rains and lightning"I don't care", I said

Just one hour later, I changed my mind!When I was in the street and there was a hole in my shoe

How strange!!

#104أمه كتف على مولود رأت عيني

تضمه يصرخ فيه تهنن يصرخكالم تنطق ما بني يا تقول يصرخهمه كتر يا يتكلمش ما اللي ده

عجبي!!

Once, I saw a baby on his mother's shoulderHe cries and she calms him, he yells and she holds him tighter

He yells and she says:"My son, speak of words""It's a terrible grief to he who doesn't speak"

How strange!!

#105تعبده إله عن بتبحث للي يا

ينجده شيء أي عن الغريق بحثرحيم رحمن و عليم و جميل اللهتوجده ... راح انت و صفاته إحمل

عجبي!!

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You who are searching for a god to worshipLike the drowning searching for anything to save him

Allah is beautiful, knowing and mercifulTry to carry any of his adjectives ... And you'll find him

How strange!!

#106محتقر حقير كوكب فوق و حقرا

بقر يا إيه دنياكو تكون الكون فيتقول .. إيش لكين صحرا؟ من رماليه

البشر عقل جوه بحاله الكون وعجبي!!

Mean and living on a mean negligible planetWith respect to the universe, what's your world, humans!?

A single grain of sand in a desert?! .. But, nobody can denyThat the whole universe is inside the humans' brain

How strange!!

#107المالذ تلقى الشمس حماه ف للي يا

الذ ... ضلعوه في بكره و بكره ألف وبس ده أل قال رب؟ مارد؟ انت؟ مين

الفوالذ اسقى و القمح باروي اللي اناعجبي!!

You, who protect the Sun

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Who have a thousand upcoming mornings ... Hiding in your ribsWho are you? A genie? A god? He said:"No,

I'm just the one who irrigates wheat and water steal"How strange!!

#108صفا و براحة شاعر صحيت يوم في

اختفى و راح الحزن و زال الهمسؤال روحي سألت و العجب خدني

للفلسفه؟ .. وصلت واال مت؟ أناعجبي!!

Once I woke up feeling so relieved and so pureWorry had gone and sadness had vanished

I wondered and asked myselfHave I died?.. Or have I finally reached the peak of

Philosophy!?How strange!!

#109القدم حافي يا قدمك المسيح غسل

خدم عشانك كانوا لمن طوبىأخي يا أنا نعليك لك صنعت

العدم .. تدوس تقوم ما إيه مستنىعجبي!!

The Christ washed your feet, you whose feat are bareBlessed are those who were your servants

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I made your shoes for you, my brotherWhat are you waiting for?.. Stand up and step on the

nothingnessHow strange!!

#110البحور و الجبال عدى شال البطالطيور ... ويا أحج اهج نفسي ياما

النبي ... و اموت لما ربي يا أوصيكسور ... للجنة الجنة تودنيش ما

عجبي!!

Ducks cross mountains and seasI wish I could travel ... With birdsI pray you my god, in the afterlife

Please, don't send me to the paradise ... Even the paradise has walls

How strange!!

#111يرجع للربيع انتظاري طالتطلع الزهور و يدفا الجو و

شباب عرمرم عارم الربيع عادافزع؟ ابتديت خالني اللي إيه

عجبي!!

I waited so long for the Spring to returnTo make the weather warmer and the flowers bloom

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The Spring returned strong and youngNow, what makes me start to panic!?

How strange!!

#112انفرط عمري و فنيت و انضنيت لو و

الوسط للحلول الجأ عاوز مشعاوز مانيش جنون و شطط كمان و

الغلط؟ و فين الصح لي يقول يامينعجبي!!

No matter what happened, no matter how weak and desperate I become

I don't want to resort to so called "Half solutions"I don't want any more distraction and craze

I wish anybody tells me which is correct and which is wrong?How strange!!

#113الحب طعم كأنه الربيع عاد

بتصب العروق جوه نار الحب ومتقطع انا و بيه ازاي اتمتع

يطب؟ الخطيئة في ال خوفي كتر منعجبي!!

The Spring returned as if it was the flavor of LoveAnd Love is fire burning the veins

How could I enjoy it while I'm terribly afraid

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lest it would fall in sin?How strange!!

#114دوره ياخد و يقوم شبابنا ازاي

زوره يجرح و يئذيه صراخ غير منساكت يقعد له أحسن هلترى ياطوره؟ عن خرج لو و ينترك أو

عجبي!!

How would our youth stand up and take their rulesWithout the shouting which hurts their throats

Is it better for them to stay silent?Or is it better to release them even if they revolt beyond their

limits?How strange!!

#115ابنه وياه و عصفور رأت عينيحضنه ف ياخده و الريح في بيحدفه

عليهم - - عجبي نوبه تالت و نوبتينيغنوا و بيرفرفوا سوا كانوا

عجبي!!

I saw a sparrow with his sonIn the moment, he was throwing his son to the wind, then he

holds him tightlyHe repeated that for two times, in the third time - I wonder-

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They were flying and singing togetherHow strange!!

#116المعشقة و العشق فيها ما أحسن

الضحك شويتين التريقة و واأللذ لقيت ، لفيت الحياة، شفتالشقا و التعب يعني ده و تغييرها،

عجبي!!

The best parts of it is love and romancelaughs and jokes

That's life, I wandered, I found what's more deliciousIt's changing the life, which means tiring work

How strange!!

#117العجاب العجيب العجب على عجبي

احتجاب بعد تطل الحقيقة لمامفيش تصبح فجأة و تحال و تروق و

جاب و خد ياما بحر طراطيش كمثلعجبي!!

I wonder for the strange wonderWhen Truth is revealed after long time

Then it becomes so clear and transparent till it completely vanishes

Like the splashes of the big sea's waves

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How strange!!

#118إش إش بهلوان يا ماشي الهو في

وش كل على منقوشة فراشة ياشقلبني عقلي و عقلي شقلبت

اندهش ما بقيت باحسبني كنت وعجبي!!

In the air the acrobat walks, wowWith a butterfly which has decos on both sides

You confused my brain and my brain confused meAlthough I thought that I'd became non-astonish-able

How strange!!

#119سناني باغسل الصبح ساعة وقفت

لمعاني؟ و قوتي شايف لي قالتأسد؟ ضحكة مني اليوم تطلب إيش

أمريكاني؟ اعالنات ابتسامة واالعجبي!!

I was brushing my teeth in the morningThey said to me: “Can you see how strong and shining we are”

“What do you wish of us today? A laugh of a lion”?"Or a smile of American commercials"!

How strange!!

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#120رايح  الحلو صابح اليم يم

سايح سابح الميه حضن في سارحأدوقه . قلت البحر في داب الحلومالح برضك البحر لسه وجدت

عجبي!!

A fresh tasty dessertfloated on the sea's water

It was dissolved in the sea. I said "let's taste it"I found that the sea is still salty

How strange!!

#121قاموس في للعجب كلمة كل ياأو العرب لسان الروس انسكلوبيديا

عصرنا . في لسه ده نجدة تعالوابالفلوس العريض البحر و الشمس

عجبي!!

This is a call of help to every word of wonderingIn the encyclopedia of the Arabic tongue or Larousse

Can you imagine that in this ageThe sun and the wide sea aren't for free

How strange!!

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#122تلول تطلع و تهبط تلول الموج

ملول صاحبك الشط خدني بحر ياايه به اعمل ح الشط بالش واال

الخلول ام و مهري طحلب ريحته دهعجبي!!

The waves are hills going up and downCould you take me to the shore, sea. Because I get bored quickly

On a second thought, no. What would I do on the shore!?It smells of dead alga and Ostreidae

How strange!!

#123البشاعة غاية في مخلوق رأت عيني

: ساعة تأملته لما له قلت أنااللزج علموك الموت و اللذةالشجاعة و الفلسفة علموني انا و

عجبي!!

My eyes saw a very ugly creatureI meditated it for a while then I said to it:

“Lust and death taught you viscosity”“And they taught me philosophy and courage”

How strange!!

#124

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بمبي نهود الموج قب و غطسبي تعلم ما جماالت جيل ألف من

القدام أمهاتنا دول عيب قلبي ياربي العظيم الله استغفر

عجبي!!

Waves dived then popped up with pink breastsFrom a thousand generations of beauty

Be polite, my heart. They are our ancient mothersForgive me my God, the great Allah

How strange!!

#125مهزلة قناع مسمار في علقت

ابتال بحزنه مأساة قناع معاه وبعض يشبهوا لقيتهم بصيت

فال . إال و والد يا العجب ده اهو وعجبي!!

I hanged a mask of mockery on a nailWith a sad mask of tragedy

I noticed that they look very similarAnd that's Wonder itself

How strange!!

#126ربوة سفح على الحي المسيح ظهرقهوة في قعد و الضي بهالة نزل و

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حاله. . في خليه قالوا تعالوا بصوادعوة . مالهمش بني يا حالهم في الناس

عجبي!!

The living Christ appeared on a small hillAnd he went down with his aura of light and entered a cafe

Look. Come. They said:"Leave him alone"My son, People are too busy with their affairs, that they don't

mind any other thingHow strange!!

#127محترم يا الرأي اختالف لوال

انضرم مالوقود الزلطين لوالمخاليف سوا ليف فرعين لوال و

اتبرم؟ كيف الود حبل بيننا كانعجبي!!

Respected one, if it hadn't been for the differing opinions…If it hadn't been for the two pebbles, there wouldn't have been

fireIf it hadn't been for the two rough branches of bast twisted

around each other,How would the rope of friendly respect between us have been

twirled!?How strange!!

#128

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لعب الريح في معاكي قلبي وردة ياتعب قلبي وال الريح م تعبتي ال : الجنون صخب في نرتاح كده احنا

نترعب و نخاف السكون في وعجبي!!

Flower, my heart played with you in the windNeither you nor my heart got tired of the wind

That's us: We find comfort inside the noise of madnessAnd quietness scares us to death

How strange!!#129

بابا؟ روح يا ليه بتلعب أنتاش ماعصابة؟ في لص ال و عسكري وال

غزال أو رهيب ديب أو أسد إلعبغابة المطاف نهاية في الدنيا دي

عجبي!!

Why don't you play, my dear son?Neither a soldier nor a gangster?

Play lion, horrible wolf or gazelleAt last, life is nothing but a big forest

How strange!!

#130اهديلك؟ حلوة يا سلوفان ورق ف ورداجيلك؟ و شتلة في بالطين انقله واال

بحناني وحا لو األوالني

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يوحيلك؟ بإيه التاني على عجبيعجبي!!

Should I give you flowers rolled in shinning papers, sweety?Or should I transfer them with mud as seedlings and come to

you?If the first case shows my kindness

I wonder, what does the second case show for you?How strange!!

#131المدار في انطلق و كوكب قلبي أنا

نار و نور يا يامحبوبتي حواليكيمابيكتفيش يلف مهما يلف

نهار نصه و ليل نصه تمللي وعجبي!!

My heart is a planet in a courseAround you my beloved, you who are light and fire

No matter how much does it circle, it’s never satisfiedAnd always, half of it is night and half of it is day

How strange!!

#132

هايش لكين أيوه شوك األرضحايش الطريق يعني مش الحمره و

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خير . بشرة و السيال دمنا ديعايش . أنا ان و عايشة انتي ان

عجبي!!

The ground is covered with thrones indeed, but weak onesAnd redness doesn’t mean that the road is blocked

It’s our bleeding blood. And that's a good signThat you and me are still alive.

How strange!!

#133السنين مرور من خدته اللي إيه

واألنين دمعتك اال قلبي ياتحن ترجع و بتفرح و بتئن

فرحانين البشر كل مش إن مععجبي!!

What have you gained after all these years?My heart, you gained nothing but you tear and moaning.

You moan and laugh and you miss againDespite not all humans are happy

How strange!!

#134غبايا عني يحل و افوق اوقاتالخبايا كل فهمت كأني اشعر و

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الدرر أقول عشان شفايفي افتح والصبايا في غزل حبة غير أقولش ما

عجبي!!

Sometimes, my mind becomes so clear and my stupidity vanishes

And I feel as if I had understood all the mysteriesThen I open my lips to say wonders of wisdom.

Yet, nothing comes out but some flirting in girlsHow strange!!

#135تتطوح نفخة من ورق مركب

بيلوح الكل و ركبتهاسنه خمسين و اتنين فيها سوحت

تروح . وال بتغرق وال لآلنعجبي!!

A paper boat which a whiff of wind can blowI got on board it while everyone was waving

I traveled on its deck for 52 yearsTill now, it neither sinks nor goes home

How strange!!

#136

الضباب تحت الصبح فت الجسر عطاب اللي و بينغرس لسه اللي بين

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جديد طالع لنبت قلبي اهتز ماالكتاب . باطه تحت و ماشي اللي قد

عجبي!!

On the bridge I saw the morning making its way through the fogAnd there were seeds yet to be planted and fruits which have

already ripenMy heart shaking for the new grown plant was never the same as

the one who was walking with the book in his armHow strange!!

#137الجبر و بالحساب الكون خالق ياالجبر و باإلختيار ماشي خالقني وأمل زمزمية حيلتي اللي كل

القبر؟ لباب تكفيني ازاي وعجبي!!

You, the creator of the universe with Math and AlgebraAnd created me walking with choice and fate

All what I’ve is a bottle of hopeAnd how would it be enough for me till the grave’s door?

How strange!!

#138

ساهية و ساكته الخمر قناني قاعدةمتناهية الشبه في آدم ابن مع

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تشوفهم لحظة في روقان كده مفيشداهية ف يودا بلحظة بعدها و

عجبي!!

The bottles of booze are silently sittingCompared to Son of Adam they are nearly the same thing

A moment you see them at the peak of relaxingA moment later you find them causing a disaster

How strange!!

#139لقية يوم في جدتها و محارة حتةشقية؟ الطبيعة كيف شوف لي قالتلقيت و فيها اللي للكهف نظرت

أخالقية .. ال كمان الطبيعة إنعجبي!!

Once, I found a piece of OysterIt said to me: “Look! How naughty is Nature”?I looked at the cave inside it and I found

That Nature is also.. ImmoralHow strange!!

#140

فنوني؟ فايدة بس إيه قال بلياتشوابيلونوني مساحيق وقق تالت و

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الجعير كتر و الزمامير و الطبل وجنوني عن زاد زبوني جنون كان إذا

عجبي!!

A clown once said: “What’s the point of all my arts”?And the three pound of powders coloring me

And the drums, the bleepers and the loud noiseIf my customer’s craze had exceeded my craze

How strange!!

#141مشروبي على كمان مراره نقطةمطلوبي حسب ساقي يا دوبها

فيها؟ . و فيها برضه مش الحياة طعمخروبي؟ نهارات و وردي ليالي

عجبي!!

Also, add a drop of bitterness to my drinkWaiter, dissolve. It that is my order

That’s the taste of life. Doesn’t life have everything?In life there are rosy nights as well as black mornings!

How strange!!

#142

أنام يا اتفرجوا الحطام وسطالرخام . م مبولة و ملك تمثال

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الحجر أسطى نفس نحتهم لتنينرخام لسه كتلتين يوم ذات كانوا و

عجبي!!

People, look at the ruinsThere are a king’s statue and a marble urinary

The both were carved by the same sculptorAnd the both were once two blocks of ore marble

How strange!!

#143القبور. ع اتنططوا العيال و عيدبابور . لعبوا و استغماية لعبوا

شفتشي . نايلونات و بالونات والسرور جنب فين يروح ح الحزن و

عجبي!!

Feast. And children jogged over the gravesThey played “Hide and seek” and they played “Train”

Balloons and bright nylons are everywhereWhat would sadness do with all this joy!

How strange!!

#144أكم .. الفراودة و كورة قلبي أنااتعكم .. ياما و اتشاط و اتنطح ياما

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المعاد في ينتهي ح كاه له اقول والحكم؟ ساعة واال بساعتك؟ يقول

عجبي!!

My heart is a football.. And the strikers are so manyIf was kicked by feet and heads so many times.. And it was

grabbed a lot.And when I say to it: “It’s all going over in time”

It replies: “According to which watch? Yours or the referee’s”?How strange!!

#145التكشير ع سم يا قال الضحك

بشير ربيعي انا و طوبة و أمشيرالعدم ع بانتصر مابأظهر مطرح

بالطباشير رسمايه أكون انشاللهعجبي!!

Laugh cursed grimacingAfter January and February, my long waited joyful spring comes

Wherever I appear I defeat nothingnessEven if I was just a drawing with chalk

How strange!!

#146العيون في الهوى همس و الهوى أهوى

الحنون . دمعة و المغرم بسمة والصبا نهد الحب زلزالت و

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أكون . ال أو المحبوب أنا أكونعجبي!!

I love Romance and the whispers of Romance in eyesAnd the lover’s smile. And the kind’s tear

And the quakes of love, the breasts of youthTo be the beloved or not to be, that’s the question!?

How strange!!

#147النسيم شم في البيض ملونين يا

النديم خمر و الشوق و الحنين لونالنبي عليكو سايق ماتعرفوش

النعيم؟ بلون األيام تلونواعجبي!!

You, who color eggs in the spring’s feastWith colors of eagerness, love and wine

Can you for the prophet's sake Color the days with the colors of welfare?

How strange!!

#148دور . بعد دور دنيا صندوق الدنيا

الديكور . كل هي و هي الدكةمكان . لغيره يسيب و شاف اللي يمشي

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امبراطور كان أو عربجي كانعجبي!!

Life is a peepshow. Turn after turnThe seats remain and the entire decor

Who watched go and leave his place to anotherWhether he was a hostler or an Emperor

How strange!!

#149الكنبات على راقد العزيز قطيالشنبات .. بيلحس و لذيذ نوم في

قلق مدلدق فنجان عين كل وانامنابات الحياة إن قال اللي صدق

عجبي!!

My dear cat is lying on the sofaEnjoying a delicious sleep.. And licking his mustache

But me, each eye of mine is a cup sloshing worryIndeed, life is shares

How strange!!

#150عام بشكل مهلكة السياسة قالوا

نعام ريش مش خشنة يابني بحورها وكلهم الغرقانين تلقى فيها غوص

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عام . اللي الخفيف و غنايم شايلينعجبي!!

They said the politics are fatal by and largeAnd their seas are very rough, my son

Dive in them, you’ll find the all the drownAre carrying prizes. And only the light who float

How strange!!

#151سالم .. .. سالم سالم سالم سالم

كالم .. .. كالم كالم كالم كالمكدهوه صحبي يا الورق هز

كالم . سالم و سالم كالم يطلععجبي!!

Peace peace.. Peace peace.. PeaceSpeech speech.. Speech speech.. Speech

My friend, shake the paper like thisIt become, Peace’s speech and Speech’s peace

How strange!!

#152شمال . . يمين قدام ورا تحت فوقالرمال . . في أو الميه تحت الجو في

الممكن على يحرم الكمال طلب

76

الكمال م محرومين دول الممكنات وعجبي!!

Up down. Behind forward. Right leftIn the air. Underwater. Or in sands

The request of perfection is forbidden for the possibleAnd Possibilities are forbidden from perfection

How strange!!

#153زمان . يا كمان هات و زمان يا هات

يبان يغ مامني الشجعان بسمة رثورته يوم الفرحة داق اللي هو

لألحزان؟ ثانية وال يعود يقدرعجبي!!

Oh time, bring more timeNothing but the smile of the brave will appear from me

He who tasted joy on his revolution dayCan he return even for a second for griefs?

How strange!!

#154عبس سورة في اقرأ و باقول عبثاعبس أو ابتسم إن حد ماتلومش

جد يطلع الهزل تقول ناس فيه

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عبث يطلع الجد تقول ناس وعجبي!!

Messing with words I sayNever blame anybody if he smiles or grimaces

There are, people who say jokes, their speech comes out seriousAnd people who speak seriously, their speech comes out jokes

How strange!!

#155تغيب و تنتهي الله على يوميلهاليب . يوم تاني تعود و الشمسكترها . . من و مأساه الحياة زيعجيب ابتداءها و انتهاءها ال بقى

عجبي!!

Allah makes my day, not the sun which comes and goes,Then it returns again the next day as hot as flames

Just like life. A tragedy that’s so frequentThat neither its end nor beginning became strange!

How strange!!

#156األرض في كتاب اضخم اللوع علماألرض يجيبه فيه يغلط اللي بس

ساهل فأمرها الصراحة أما

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عرض تصون وال مال تجلب ال لكنعجبي!!

The science of Arguing is the biggest book on EarthBut he who mistakes in it falls.

But, candidness is easyYet, it neither brings money nor protects honor

How strange!!

#157محكمة . رئيس كان و أب كانلي أنا

اترمى . واحدة قضية في سنة ستينخرج و براءة طلع و سنة ستينالسما لرب الموت و الحياة يشكي

عجبي!!

I had a father who was the head of a courtFor 60 years he was involved in only one case

60 years then he was proved to be innocent and was releasedComplaining life and death to the lord of the sky

How strange!!

#158كفن بدنه و روح آدم ابن قالوا

بدن . في روح ده أل قالوا بدن أل قالواالهوا فرفر في الرايات مع فؤادي

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وطن في بدن في روح أل قلت أناعجبي!!

They said: Son of Adam is a soul and his body is a coffinThen they said: No. He’s a soul in a body

My heart flew with the flags in the airAnd I said: NO. He’s a soul in a body in a home.

How strange!!

#159تخيره ال و اإلنسان تجبر ال

بيحيره عقل من فيه ما يكفيهيشتهيه و بيطلبه النهارده اللي

يغيره يشتهي ح بكرة اللي هوعجبي!!

Neither force a human nor ask him to chooseHis mind already have got enough confuse

Whatever he badly desires, todayTomorrow, he'll be equally willing to change !

How strange!!

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