Επιμέλεια: Εύα Πετροπούλου Λιανού
Hela Tekali is translating the famous Tunisian poetess Samia Ammar Bouattour from her poetry collections entitled “Lanterns of Joy and Ember” and “Brides Of The Soul”
“The Plains of Peace”
An olive tree in the plain from bygone ages
Narrates the lessons of resolve for the descendants
Abundant with goodness, dreams, and the exquisite light and enchanting sustenance
Green despite the ages, it always appears
Guarded in its flourishing bough
And the root extends, blessed
In the verses inscribed with the best ink
It emerged calling to the generation in its tint
Shaking its boughs with the melody:
O how much I have sipped patience and toil,
How I have commanded it from the spirit of the ancestors
And I have witnessed the conquerors with their resolve
From the time of Carthage to the people of the Arabic language
And indeed, I have been gifted in Sfax a soil
That tenderly embraces me with kindness and affection
In it, I was reared, and in the depths of its lands
My throne was set up, and it nourished my blossoms
I still carry the banner of peace
Was I not a source of guidance?
For the branch is warmth, and the fruits are springs
In them is healing and balm for the bodies
And the oil is a flood from my astonishing fruits
It heals the heart and the ailments of the livers
Light upon light twinkled in the horizon
Reviving life with the radiant sustenance
O farmer, you are a diligent toiler
You have engaged in the best struggle for generations
And you have watered their harvest with the sweat of your brow
Through hard work, sincerity, and perseverance
You have planted for your descendants a precious gift
That continues to provide the finest sustenance
Blessed are the people of Sfax, for their oils
Have made their sanctuary like the Kaaba for the pilgrims.
This poem is published in the collection “Brides of the Soul,” 3rd edition, page 117
The original poem was written in Arabic by Samia Ammar Bouattour
translated into English Language
by Hela Tekali
All Rights Reserved
6/10/24
“The Rhythm Of Solace”
The rosebud has blossomed today in our shade,
And your celebration flowed like perfume, inebriating us.
Like a dream, serenity triumphed, and love shone,
From the glance of your eyes in the horizon, we got sober .
O procession, you strolled in it to the rhythm
Of the vibrations of love, a passion and tenderness.
A heart melodiously sang for it like a hummingbird,
And it enraptured us with joy, friends and companions.
And happiness flashed, whispering to the universe a song,
welcoming joy to your presence, our delight.
And love bestowed upon the souls its joy,
And in the embrace of our wishes, our happiness settled.
And the vision of dreams and joy beguiled us,
While the sun shone brightly in the universe, bewitching us.
So can I grant myself a moment of joy and visions ?
And can a heart, that has been restless, find peace?
And I pondered over what I might gift you,
My beloved, a necklace of diamonds adorned,
Or a pearl crafted from the fragrance of my breaths,
Which my heart overflowed with, in poetry and rhythms…?
Samia Ammar (Bouattour)
Sfax 2004
From my collection 3 “Lanterns of Joy and Ember” pp. 41-42
A poem written in Arabic language by Samia Ammar Bouattour
Translated Into English
By Hela Tekali
All Rights Reserved 6/10/24
