Learning the Ancestors’ Tongues
an Arabic simultaneity poem to be read in two voices, from right to left and left to right—for Marwa Helal
you want to learn I
more me knowing
place one in accord with all were they
know I than
myself
myself
wind mighty rushing of as heaven from sound a came there suddenly and
language this
me inside
me inside
sitting were they where house the all filled it and
flames in ancestors dear
