Translation: Fakkuttalasim "Talismans' Clues'.....

I found this part of a translation I made for Dr. Abdel Halim Rabie of his reply poem to the famous 'Al Talassim',
by Ilea Abu Madhi. Dr Rabie called his poem Fakkultalasim (Clues to Talisman).
If I notice the sample translation is attractive to a number of readers, I will call the rest of it. I don't think we can copy the whole book in Arabic but it is reachable in many Arabic sites or under Dr Rabie Abdel-Halim name.........Asha
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From Rabie Abdel-Halim's Poetry :
The Talismans And Talismans' Clues




The Talismans Poem (Attalasim) of Ilia Abu Madhi:
In the early thirties of last century, the well-known Arab American Poet, Ilya Abu Madhi expressed his uncertainty about the purpose of life in his famous Arabic poem Attalasim, meaning “puzzles, talismans, mysteries, riddles”. In the introduction section of the poem, translated into English by Mostafa Malaekah , the poet says:


I came not knowing from where, but I came.
And I saw a pathway in front of me, so I walked.
And I will remain walking, whether I want this or not.
How did I come? How did I see my pathway?
I do not know!

Am I new or am I old in this existence?
Am I free and unrestrained, or do I walk in chains?
Do I lead myself in my life, or am I being led?
I wish I know, but…
I do not know!

And my path, oh what is my path? Is it long or is it short?
Am I ascending in it, or am I going down and sinking?
Am I the one who is walking on the road,
or is it the road that is moving?
Or are we both standing, but it is the time that is running?
I do not know!

Before I became a full human, do you see
if I were nothing, impossible? Or do you see that I was something?
Is there an answer to this puzzle, or will it remain eternal?
I do not know ... and why do I not know??
I do not know!


The Talismans' Clues Poem (Fakkuttalasim) of Rabie Abdel-Halim:
Few years ago, Rabie Abdel-Halim replied to Attalasim by the Arabic poem Fakkuttalasim (“Talismans Clues”) which was recently translated into English by : Aisha Musa Al Saeed and revised by : Eiman Al Khateeb, both ladies lecturers at King Saud University,Translation Dept. at the time. Here is the introduction section of this poem:


I’ve come to this world fully aware how.
I’ve come to this world for a reason; with guidance of the signs I’ve discerned.
I’ve realized the mark and was guided.
Wish they knew! How could people have missed it?
Wish they knew!

It is not a mysterious secret, that matter of existence.
The whole universe is creativity that leads to God the Almighty.
Land and sea creatures are evidence of His creation.
Wish they knew! How could people have missed the rational?
Wish they knew!

Adam the grandfather, a prophet, is God’s, The All Capable, creation.
He selected, directed, and called him the reminder.
He granted him a world of knowledge so as to shed light.
Wish they knew! How could people not see that?
Wish they knew!

Like my great grandfather, God has guided me through the faithful spirit.
From messenger to messenger, we have received the ultimate words.
In the light of truth we unravel the mysteries of the unknown.
Wish they knew! How could they fail to follow its guidance?
Wish they knew!

God said: Be! And I became! And now I live!
I’m master of my self-will.
I’m free in my choice, be it right or be it wrong.
They have missed the glaring truth! How could they?
Wish they knew!

The reasoning of both poets will be quite evident when both poems (248 verse each) are read in full. The Arabic original text have been published in the book Fakkuttalasim. For a complete English translation of both poems, please click here.



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Copyright © 2004 Rabie Abdel-Halim. All rights reserved. Reprinting, reproducing, or translating is permitted only if the source is acknowledged and no change, addition or omission is introduced.

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