Still, you practice your rituals,
And crush the defeat within you.
Abdel Latif Mubarak, an Egyptian poet and lyricist, shares his poetry
Abdel Latif Mubarak is an Egyptian poet and lyricist born in 1964 in Suez. He is widely recognized as one of the most important poets of the 1980s. His poems have been published in numerous literary journals in Egypt and the Arab world, including Arab Magazine, Kuwait Magazine, News Literature, Republic Newspaper, AI-Ahram, and The New Publishing Culture. Abdel Latif Mubarak’s fame rests on his distinctive poetic style, which skillfully combines the beauty of words with profound reflection on aspects of life and humanity. His verses are imbued with sensitivity, emotion, and a profound understanding of the human condition. Over the years, Mubarak has received numerous awards and accolades for his work. In 2014, he was honored with the Arab Media Union’s Shield of Excellence and Creativity, recognizing his significant impact on poetry and literature. In 2021, he also won the prestigious East Academy Shield of Excellence and Creativity, a testament to his continued perseverance and dedication to his craft.
Rituals
RitualsYou wake to all the pain,
A tear of your weeping.
Still, you practice your rituals,
And crush the defeat within you.
You mend the flood of pulsing life…
Into the ring of your salvation.
Your dream, hanged on the wall of distance… tortures you.
Between your daily sorrow… an arrest,
The arrogance of the question…
Why did your familiar voice go silent
While you stand…
On the pain, a sigh,
Waiting for an answer from someone else.
Even though the wonder of your gaze
Sees all the tributaries,
So choose a direction for yourself.
Let guidance slip into your core,
For a hundred ways to free you.
From the silence,
Once you contain it,
Melt your words inside the spittle of tongues,
And raise, as far as the eye can see,
The sword of truth…
I ask your permission,
My soul is still dissolving in your features,
Return it to me,
It belongs to me.
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