Learning the Ancestors’ Tongues and Other Poems
Learning the Ancestors’ Tongues
an Arabic simultaneity poem to be read in two voices, from right to left and left to right—for Marwa Helal
you want to learn I
more me knowing
place one in accord with all were they
know I than
myself
myself
wind mighty rushing of as heaven from sound a came there suddenly and
language this
me inside
me inside
sitting were they where house the all filled it and
flames in ancestors dear
