Maniacs is one of Charbel Baini's books translated from Arabic into English with introduction by Dr. Mostapha Helwe

South Lebanon


1-

You are the giant...

You are the flame that shines 

In the night of humiliation

You are the harvest yearning 

For the harvester's hands

You are the dream in our nights

And the blood that flows within us

O my South, you will remain steadfast

No matter how harsh everyone is on you

2-

Without you, what good is the land

Lebanon in its length and breadth

We must stand together, O South

And we will erase from your face the wars

That left your child displaced

And walking in the darkness

And on the Golgotha of black hatred

Punched with the stones of malice

Your people are humiliated and crucified

-3-

Our loss. is always a gain

Don't think about our loss

Tomorrow you will hear the beating of drums

When we declare our unity

Our world from The Unthinkable

Your land is our paradise

We tamed horses from the wind

We shaped the sun with our banner

And no matter 

How much the enemy's horses roam

Our arena will bring them to their knees.

-4-

Keep resisting no matter what happens

Your loved ones in this world are many

You are the breeze we breathe

And the sun that is stolen

Above my mountains

And from the fur of the clouds Blue

Weaving my shawl.

-5-

If poetry were rifles

I would have armed you with my poetry

And drawn a million hands for you

To defend your interests

Oh, my child, the new creation

And I haven't yet carried you

I will make you the most beautiful celebration

And gather for you the flowers of the universe

And weave you a mattress for your bed.

-6-

Your freedom. my bread and sustenance

And the ultimate goal of all my aims

I don't want money or rubies

Nor to be adorned with stars

I want the invader who is still occupying 

To die on your land

And I will make him a coffin 

With my own hands

From the curses of young children

Who have had their fill of wars, 

Blood, and fire

And long for God's mercy.

**