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

The Donkey People

 

-1-

.. And they used to say, 

"The land of goodness,

This is my land,

The land of the breeze

The land of birds,

And the calm atmosphere!"

-2-

.. And they used to say, 

"My land is a piece of heaven,

By God, 

If it weren't for the loyalty of my ancestors,

It wouldn't have been divided!" 

-3-

..And they kept singing its praises

Until it became a dream

And in the end. 

They doubted it banners of blood

-4-

And the people who died 

Became great stories

Told by neighbour to neighbour

About a donkey people

-5-

He was content to burn his home

With an angry heart

And he was content to drive his nail

Into the back of Lebanon!

**