You will remain an example
I will walk with all walking people
And no
I will not stand still
Just to watch the passers by
This is my Homeland
In which
I have
A palm tree
A drop in a cloud
And a grave to protect me
This is more beautiful
Than all cities of fog
And cities which
Do not recognise me
My master:
I would like to have power
Even for one day
To build the “republic of feelings.”
(Translated by Ghias al-Jundi)
Tal al-Mallouhi is a young poet who was only 19 years old when she was arrested in her home city of Homs more than two years ago, in December 2009. She was sentenced to five years in prison in February 2011, convicted of spying for a foreign country. She is still in prison, with little access to her family – a situation aggravated by the recent conflict. For more on her case read this PEN alert. http://www.englishpen.org/syria-blogger-and-poet-sentenced/
Take Action
To mark International Women’s Day, on Thursday 8 March, we are encouraging our members to set aside a few minutes to take action on behalf of women writers around the world.
Share Tal’s poem: To raise and maintain awareness of Tal’s case, please help us to get her poem, ‘You Will Remain An Example’ , published as widely as possible – in newspapers, on notice boards, on websites, blogs and social networks. (Please do¬† let us know the details of any publications in the comments box below.)
Send Tal a poem: If you would like to send a message of support and a poem to Tal please email [email protected] for more details and the address of the prison where she is detained.
For more details of suggested Women’s Day actions on behalf of writers in Turkey and Mexico, please see http://www.englishpen.org/international-womens-day-take-action-for-women-writers-around-the-world/