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

The Teacher

 

O Master of masters,

And teacher of generations,

And bestower of crowns

Upon the heads 

Of the highest-ranking kings of the earth.

Our feelings towards you are greater 

Then the sun and the moon,

Our love for you is indescribable. 

Cadmus, Lord of the Word,

When he inscribed the first letter

By the glimmer of an oil lamp,

Knew perfectly well that this small letter

Would transform into a radiant sun, 

Illuminating the entire universe.

Therefore, immense responsibilities fall upon you,

namely,

The upbringing of the rising generation,

Guiding them correctly,

And educating them 

With a culture befitting the greatness 

And advancement of all nations.

You and the light are twins;

Both of you illuminate the paths of life before us.

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