Poem 039: Fête Poem by Samer Madbak

The mumble of delight
It deafens me
Rough is pleasure on my busy head
This tender night,
Those humans, revelry
And I, brooding here
With pain inbred
And the night is long
A voice, afar, anear
A futile cheer
The chagrin of my soul
Reigns strong…
I hear the drum, the roll
The dance is on
The singing and the song
Thrilled are they…
Tomorrow I’ll be gone
Hush! ye overweening heart
Sweeter is dismay
Brighter is distress
The hollow fête! Tomorrow we’ll depart
Slumber well, dear spirit, mum!
Regress…
Succumb, succumb
To Nature’s behest
Ah! Come
Eternal rest!


Blaouza
September 3rd 1988