Tomorrow...

Dedicated to my son Nazih

Our friend Mrs. Salma al-Haffar al-Kuzbari has written to us from Buenos Aires, "capital of the silver country," where her husband Dr. Nader al-Kuzbari serves as ambassador of Syria to Argentina.

Salma's letter overflows with longing and yearning for the mother homeland and for family and friends. She has made a journey to the land of Chile, whose nature and air, she said, reminded her greatly of enchanting Lebanon...

She says that "The Woman's Voice" holds a cherished place in the hearts of our emigrant brothers there, and that once she has found her spiritual footing she will send us delightful pieces and reportages. Her letter also enclosed this poem — perhaps the first fruits of her verse:

My beloved son, come, come,
let us heal the wounds, for the day of reunion —
my soul be your ransom — is near within reach

My son, smile — what is the reproach for?
Come, climb the paths of the highlands,
come, take heart, for you are youth itself!

I want you a bounty that feeds the meadows,
I want you a sun that melts the snows,
I want you a star to rival the constellations!

Come, let us forgive the tyranny of time,
forget the parting and wipe out the sorrow,
for the feast of reunion will be on the homeland's soil

Tomorrow we shall make our truce with this age,
tomorrow we shall chant the melody of peace,
tomorrow the cups of tenderness will overflow

Tomorrow we shall keep the feast, mankind and jinn,
tomorrow we shall behold the light of the gardens of paradise,
tomorrow we shall reign, for our reunion is near