Contraband Poem by Ahmed Fouad Negm

Forbidden from travel
Forbidden from singing
Forbidden from speaking
Forbidden from longing
Forbidden from discontent
Forbidden from smiling

And every day with your love
That which is forbidden increases
And every day I love you
More than the before

My love, as if a vessel
Longing and imprisoned
With an informant in each corner
A police in every port
They forbid me if I
Feel some jealousy for you
Or if I fly to your embrace
Or if I sleep in your lap
And your heart like the spring
I return like an infant
Weeping from weaning

My love, as if city
Dressed up and unhappy
In every road a difficulty
And in every palace decoration
Forbidden from waking up
With your love, or sleeping with it
Forbidden from debate
Forbidden from silence
And every day with your love
That which is forbidden increases
And every day I love you
More than the before