Rural Poems is one of Charbel Baini's books translated from Arabic into English

The Flying Flock

 

Good evening, Grandma...

Why do I see you and the corn in a struggle?

The flying flock!

What's wrong with it?!

Just like that?!

Did it raid the grain while you were sleeping?!

Poor you, Grandma...

If only you had fed the birds,

They wouldn't have harmed you...

The birds are like the poor people among us,

The hungrier they are, 

The more dangerous they become.

**