THE LOVE OF TWO TREES

Two trees were madly in love.
The vindictive woodcutter
chopped them down
and took them home.

By chance, the two trees met in the fireplace.

They joyfully embraced
and burned together.

HUSSEIN HABASCH (1970) Afrin, Kurdistan

***

MERCY

A bird built his nest
atop a high tree
the tree called God.
“I beg you, God,
do not send storms my way.”

HUSSEIN HABASCH (1970) Afrin, Kurdistan
Translation Muna Zinati – Stanley H. Barkan