In Baghdad, Where My Past Generation Would Be

Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Contents vii
3. Foreword xxi
4. Preface xxvii
5. Translator’s Note xxxiii
6. Introduction 1
7. Muti‘ ibn Iyas (704– 85): [Stars Whirling in the Dark] 53
8. Muti‘ ibn Iyas (704– 85): [Raindrops of Dust] 54
9. ‘Abd Allah ibn al- Mubarak (736– 97): [The Pious Ascetic in Baghdad] 55
10. Anon.: [Paradise Lost] 56
11. Anon.: [House of Calamity] 57
12. Anon.: [Men’s Souls Are Sick] 58
13. Anon.: [I Am Leaving] 59
14. Anon.: [Mean as They Are] 60
15. Anon.: [Ornamented Rhetoric and Lies] 61
16. Anon.: [Comparison] 62
17. Anon.: [Never Again] 63
18. al-‘Abbas ibn al-Ahnaf (750– 809): [Oh Sun of Baghdad!] 64
19. al-‘Abbas ibn al-Ahnaf (750– 809): [From Harun al-Rashid’s Mouth] 65
20. al-‘Abbas ibn al-Ahnaf: [The Eye’s Greatest Delight] 65
21. Harun al-Rashid (763– 809): [I Will Not Forgive Myself] 66
22. Shamsa (eighth century): [Separation] 67
23. Anon.: [I Weep Blood ] 68
24. Anon.: [Compulsory Pilgrimage] 70
25. Mansur al-Namari: (?– 809) [Breeze] 71
26. Ashja‘ al-Sulami: (?– 810) [Palaces] 72
27. Abu Nuwas (al-Hasan ibn Hani al-Hakami) (747– 62–813–15): [Pilgrimage] 73
28. Abu Nuwas (al-Hasan ibn Hani al-Hakami): [Ships] 74
29. Abu Nuwas (al-Hasan ibn Hani al-Hakami): [April Morning] 75
30. ‘Inan (eighth century): [Plowing] 76
31. ‘Amr ibn ‘Abd al- Malik al- Warraq (?– 815): [An Evil Eye] 77
32. ‘Amr ibn ‘Abd al- Malik al- Warraq (?– 815): [Disgrace] 78
33. Tahir ibn al- Husayn al- Khuza‘i (776– 822): [Your Night, Oh Baghdad] 80
34. ‘Ali ibn Jabala al- Ansari (known as al-‘Akawwak) (776– 828): [Exile] 81
35. Ishaq al- Khuraymi (?– 829): [Elegy] 82
36. Ishaq al- Mawsili (767– 850): [Weeping] 86
37. Al-Husayn ibn al-Dahhak (778– 870): [Only Sorrow] 87
38. Al-Husayn ibn al-Dahhak (778– 870): [Their Veils Were Torn] 89
39. ‘Abd Allah ibn Tahir (798– 844): [Th e Wailing Pigeon] 90
40. ‘Umara ibn ‘Aqil (798– 853): [Dung] 92
41. ‘Umara ibn ‘Aqil (798– 853): [Tranquil Abode] 93
42. ‘Umara ibn ‘Aqil (798– 853): [Nothing Is Like Baghdad] 94
43. ‘Ali ibn al-Jahm (804– 63): [Does’ Eyes] 95
44. ‘Ali ibn al-Jahm (804– 63): [At al-Karkh’s Gate] 98
45. ‘Ali ibn al-Jahm (804– 63): [Ceaseless Rain] 99
46. ‘Abd Allah ibn Muhammad al-Bafi (?– 893): [Communion] 101
47. Ibn Dust (ninth century): [Tuesday] 102
48. Abu Muhammad al-Hasan ibn Ahmad al-Brujardi (ninth century): [Tuesday Is for Plea sure] 103
49. al-Walid ibn ‘Ubayd Allah al-Buhturi (820– 97): [Desire between Ribs] 104
50. Ibn al-Rumi (836– 96): [Tuesday Is Not Only Tuesday] 105
51. Ibn al-Rumi (836– 96): [Imagination] 105
52. Ibn al-Rumi (836– 96): [Wahid, the Singer] 106
53. Ibn al-Rumi (836– 96): [Red- Dyed Finger] 109
54. Adam ibn ‘Abd al-‘Aziz al-Umawi (ninth century): [Deprived of Sleep] 110
55. Abu al-‘Aliya (ninth century): [Th e Hand of Generosity Is Crippled] 111
56. ‘Ali ibn Abi Hashim (tenth century): [Builders Build for Ruins] 112
57. ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Mu‘tazz (861– 909): [The Traces of Her Bite] 113
58. ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Mu‘tazz (861– 909): [Squeezed by an Old Woman] 113
59. ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Mu‘tazz (861– 909): [Thick Smoke] 113
60. ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Mu‘tazz (861– 909): [Waistbands] 114
61. ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Mu‘tazz (861– 909): [White Roses] 114
62. ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Mu‘tazz (861– 909): [Full of Blood] 115
63. Muhammad ibn Dawud al-Isfahani (868– 909): [Pain of Skinning] 116
64. ‘Ubayd Allah ibn ‘Abd Allah ibn Tahir (?– 913): [Could a Lover Leave?] 117
65. ‘Ali ibn al-Husayn al-Wasiti (?– 919): [Temple for the Hearts] 118
66. al-Husayn ibn Mansur al-Hallaj (858– 922): [Tell the Gazelle] 119
67. al-Husayn ibn Mansur al-Hallaj (858– 922): [Ordained by Christ] 119
68. al-Husayn ibn Mansur al-Hallaj (858– 922): [I Am Whom I Love] 119
69. al-Husayn ibn Mansur al-Hallaj (858– 922): [States] 120
70. Abu ‘Abd Allah Ibrahim ibn Muhammad Niftawayhi (858– 935): [Perpetual Rain] 121
71. Anon. (tenth century): [Only Death] 122
72. Anon. (tenth century): [Th e Breast Beater] 123
73. Ibn al-Tammar al-Wasiti (tenth century): [Golden Bridge] 124
74. ‘Ali ibn Muhammad al-Tanukhi (892– 953): [Moon and River] 125
75. Mansur ibn Kayaghlagh (?– 960): [Moon] 126
76. Abu Ishaq al-Sabi (925– 94): [Basra and Baghdad] 127
77. Abu al-Hasan ‘Ali ibn ‘Abd al-‘Aziz al-Jurjani (928–1002): [Garments of Mourning] 128
78. Abu al-Hasan ‘Ali ibn ‘Abd al-‘Aziz al-Jurjani (928–1002): [Downpour of Tears] 129
79. al-Sharif al-Radi (930–77): [Camels’ Saliva] 130
80. al-Tahir ibn al-Muzaff ar ibn Tahir al-Khazin (tenth century?): [Sweeter than Wine] 131
81. ‘Ali ibn al-Faraj al-Shafi ‘i (tenth century?): [Elephants on Mercury] 132
82. Muhammad ibn ‘Abd Allah al-Salami (947–1002): [Busy Square] 133
83. Ma‘dan al-Taghlibi (eleventh century): [Promised Land] 134
84. Abu Sa‘d Muhmmad ibn ‘Ali ibn Khalaf al-Nayramani (?–1023): [I Am Your Ransom] 135
85. ‘Ali ibn Zurayq Abu al-Hasan al-Baghdadi (?–1029): [Moon over Baghdad] 137
86. ‘Ali ibn Zurayq Abu al-Hasan al-Baghdadi (?–1029): [Baghdad’s People] 139
87. Abu Muhammad ‘Abd al-Wahhab al-Maliki (?–1031): [Baghdad’s Air] 140
88. Abu Muhammad ‘Abd al-Wahhab al-Maliki (?–1031): [A Qur’an in an Unbeliever’s House] 140
89. Abu Muhammad ‘Abd al-Wahhab al-Maliki (?–1031): [Like a Friend] 141
90. al-Sharif al-Murtada (965–1044): [Gazelle] 142
91. Abu al-‘Ala’ al-Ma‘arri (973–1058): [Love] 143
92. Abu al-‘Ala’ al-Ma‘arri (973–1058): [Farewell] 143
93. Abu al-‘Ala’ al-Ma‘arri (973–1058): [Sadness] 144
94. Abu al-‘Ala’ al-Ma‘arri (973–1058): [Deserted Beloved] 144
95. Abu al-‘Ala’ al-Ma‘arri (973–1058): [Oh Treasurer!] 145
96. Abu al- Ma‘ali (1028–85): [Bearded Boy] 147
97. Abu al-Fadl ibn Muhammad al-Khazin al-Katib (?–1131): [‘Antar and ‘Abla] 148
98. Abu al-Fadl ibn Muhammad al-Khazin al-Katib (?–1131): [No Nobleman in the Valley] 148
99. Usama ibn Munqidh (1095–1188): [Scales of Justice] 149
100. Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Shumay‘a al-Baghdadi (thirteenth century): [The “How Are You?” People] 150
101. Muhyi al-Din ibn al-‘Arabi (1165– 1240): [Melancholic Dove] 151
102. Muhyi al-Din ibn al-‘Arabi (1165– 1240): [The Most Beloved City] 152
103. Majd al-Din Husayn ibn al-Dawami (thirteenth century): [Earthquake] 153
104. al-Majd al-Nashabi (?– 1259): [Turning a Child’s Hair White] 154
105. Taqi al-Din ibn Abi al-Yusr (1193– 1273): [Burned to Ashes] 155
106. Sa‘di Shirazi (1219–94): [A Bird in a Falcon’s Grip] 156
107. Shams al-Din Muhammad ibn ‘Abd Allah al-Kufi (1226–76): [Kings and Slaves] 159
108. Shams al-Din Mahmud ibn Ahmad al-Hashimi al-Hanafi (thirteenth century): [Stars to Be Followed] 160
109. Shams al-Din Mahmud ibn Ahmad al-Hashimi al-Hanafi (thirteenth century): [Vow of Fidelity] 163
110. Abu al-Khayr ‘Abd al-Rahman Zayn al-Din al-Suwaydi (1722–86): [Tears and Weeping] 166
111. ‘Abd al-Ghani al-Jamil (1780–1863): [Complaint] 167
112. ‘Abd al-Ghani al-Jamil (1780–1863): [Inner Storm] 167
113. ‘Abd al-Ghani al-Jamil (1780–1863): [Once Glory Nested Here] 169
114. Shihab al-Din Abu al-Thana’ Mahmud al-Alusi (1803–54): [Longing and Craving] 171
115. ‘Abd al-Ghaff ar al-Akhras al-Mawsili (1805–72): [Peace Be with Baghdad] 173
116. Radi al-Qazwini (1819–68): [Baghdad and Tibriz] 174
117. ‘Abd al-Hamid al-Shawi (1828–98): [I Remember Baghdad] 175
118. Ahmad al-Shawi (1844–99): [Memory] 177
119. Ahmad al-Shawi (1844–99): [Leaders] 178
120. Jamil Sidqi al-Zahawi (1863–1936): [Baghdad Days] 179
121. Jamil Sidqi al-Zahawi (1863–1936): [Behind Bars] 180
122. Jamil Sidqi al-Zahawi (1863–1936): [Migration] 181
123. Ahmad Shawqi (1868–1932): [Baghdad and Rome] 182
124. Hafiz Ibrahim (1871–1932): [Tenderness and Gentleness] 183
125. Ma‘ruf al-Rusafi (1875–1945): [The Bridge] 184
126. Ma‘ruf al-Rusafi (1875–1945): [The Flood] 184
127. Ma‘ruf al-Rusafi (1875–1945): Oh Lover of the Orient! 187
128. Iliyya Abu Madi (1889–1957): When Fate Came Knocking 189
129. Anwar Sha’ul (1904–84): [Happy in Baghdad] 190
130. Anwar Sha’ul (1904–84): [Love of the Arabs] 191
131. Murad Michael (1906–86): Oh My Fatherland! (Excerpts) 192
132. Mir Basri (1911–2006): [Oh Friends of Life!] 194
133. Mishil Haddad (1919–96): The Books 196
134. Nizar Qabbani (1923–98): A Baghdadi Song 197
135. Nizar Qabbani (1923–98): Glory to the Long Plaits 199
136. Nazik al-Mala’ika (1923–2007): The Passionate River 201
137. Ibrahim Ovadia (1924–2006): A Guest in Tehran 203
138. ‘Ali Sidqi ‘Abd al-Qadir (1924–2008): Baghdad and the Black Eyes 205
139. Badr Shakir al-Sayyab (1926–64): Death the Fox 207
140. Badr Shakir al-Sayyab (1926–64): Brothel 208
141. Badr Shakir al-Sayyab (1926–64): Because I Am a Stranger 210
142. Buland al-Haydari (1926–96): On the Way of Exile from Baghdad 211
143. Buland al-Haydari (1926–96): The City That Was Lost because of Her Silence 213
144. Buland al-Haydari (1926–96): Apology 216
145. ‘Abd al-Wahhab al-Bayyati (1926–99): A Sigh in Baghdad 218
146. ‘Abd al-Wahhab al-Bayyati (1926–99): The City 219
147. ‘Abd al-Wahhab al-Bayyati (1926–99): An Elegy to an Unborn City 220
148. ‘Abd al-Wahhab al-Bayyati (1926–99): Words on al-Sayyab’s Tomb 221
149. ‘Abd al-Wahhab al-Bayyati (1926–99): A Profile of a City 222
150. ‘Abd al-Wahhab al-Bayyati (1926–99): Al-‘Abbas ibn al-Ahnaf: Impossible Love 223
151. Shadhil Taqa (1929–74): And When We Took Over Her 225
152. Adonis (1930–): Elegy for al-Hallaj 226
153. Adonis (1930–): Poetry Presses Her Lips to Baghdad’s Breast (Baghdad 1969) 227
154. Adonis (1930–): Salute to Baghdad 240
155. Adonis (1930–): [Time Crushes into Baghdad’s Body] 242
156. Muhammad Jamil Shalash (1930–): Baghdad and Dawn 244
157. Salah ‘Abd al-Sabur (1931–81): The Tatars Have Attacked 247
158. Sa‘di Yusuf (1934–): The New Baghdad 249
159. Sa‘di Yusuf (1934–): Solitude 250
160. Sa‘di Yusuf (1934–): Baghdad 251
161. Sa‘di Yusuf (1934–): The Spoliation 251
162. Ahmad ‘Abd al-Mu‘ti Hijazi (1935–): A Poem for Baghdad 253
163. Sadiq al-Sa’igh (1938–): This Is Baghdad . . . (Excerpts) 255
164. Samih al-Qasim (1939–): Baghdad . . . (Excerpts) 259
165. Fadil al-‘Azzawi (1940–): Mr. Edward Luka’s Profession 261
166. Fadil al-‘Azzawi (1940–): In Baghdad’s Night 263
167. Fadil al-‘Azzawi (1940–): The Ten New Commandments 263
168. Fadil al-‘Azzawi (1940–): Forgotten Maps 264
169. Sami Mahdi (1940–): Ruins 266
170. May Muzaffar (1940–): The City 267
171. Mahmud Darwish (1941–2008): Iraq’s Night Is Long 268
172. Su‘ad al-Sabah (1942–): Hulagu 270
173. Su‘ad al-Sabah (1942–): Below Zero 270
174. Sharif al-Rubay‘i (1943–97): Harun al-Rashid 271
175. Sargon Boulus (1944–2007): In the Garden of Sa‘di Shirazi (When He Was in Prison) 272
176. Sargon Boulus (1944–2007): Hulagu Praises Himself 273
177. Sargon Boulus (1944–2007): There 273
178. Sargon Boulus (1944–2007): Hangman 274
179. Sargon Boulus (1944–2007): I Have Come to You from There 274
180. Sargon Boulus (1944–2007): Hulagu (New Series) 276
181. Sargon Boulus (1944–2007): An Elegy for al-Sindibad Cinema 277
182. Abdul Kader El Janabi (1944–): One Day We Will Have a History 279
183. Abdul Kader El Janabi (1944–): The Immigrants of the Interior 279
184. Abdul Kader El Janabi (1944–): What a Moment Is That 281
185. Abdul Kader El Janabi (1944–): Bildung 281
186. In Baghdad, Where My Past Generation Would Be 283
187. Faruq Juwayda (1945–): Baghdad, Don’t Be in Pain! (Excerpts) 285
188. ‘Ali Ja‘far al-‘Allaq (1945–): Sketches in the Notebooks of Ibn Zurayq al-Baghdadi 287
189. ‘Abd al-Rahman Touhmazi (1946–): What Do You Want? 289
190. Bushra al-Bustani (1950–): A Sorrowful Melody 291
191. Ronny Someck (1951–): Baghdad, February 1991 292
192. Ronny Someck (1951–): The Shaving Razor That Cut the Metaphor of Poetry 292
193. Ronny Someck (1951–): A Personal Note on the Margin of a Renewal Form for an Iraqi Passport 293
194. Wafa’ ‘Abd al-Razzaq (1952–): The River 294
195. Ahlam Mustaghanimi (1953–): [Baghdad’s Date Palms Apologize to You] 295
196. Ibrahim Zaydan (1960–) and Qays Majid al-Mawla (196?–): A Joint Poem on the Live Half and the Dead Half 297
197. ‘Abid ‘Ali al-Rammahi (1967–): Baghdad, Sing! 300
198. Sinan Antoon (1967–): A Letter to al-Mutanabbi (Street) 302
199. Sinan Antoon (1967–): The Milky Way 304
200. Sinan Antoon (1967–): Illumination 304
201. Sinan Antoon (1967–): Wars 305
202. Dalya Riyad (1970–): The Myth of the Tigris and Euphrates 306
203. Dalya Riyad (1970–): Roadmap 307
204. Manal al-Shaykh (1971–): Baghdad 308
205. Afterword: Being a Baghdadi Poet: A Testimony 309
206. References 313
207. Index of Poets 329
208. Index of Titles 333