The violets that cover me
I anticipated their bleeding from time immemorial
But kept back what my blindness saw
So that I can breathe
I was in need of more wounds
To be worthy of this radiance
I was in need of more rambling
To realize
That only dreaming can pluck me out
Only the clouds can light me up.

I don’t remember when and how
I became crazy for these violets
I by chance saw myself joyful in their empty spaces
Feeding on their delights
In a wine-scented wedding of passion
Where I didn’t need a white dress
Since I was sheathed in the dewy morning
which led me to a hanging night
As if we had always been together
But suddenly parted because of a sin we didn’t commit
Then met again on the edge of a runaway life.
Yah!! many a branch dances in my body!
Many a madman’s language I master!
Many a bird inhabits my throat!
Whenever the tiny violet leaves whisper to me
My strings resonate!

Translation by Norddine Zouitni