We present this work in honor of the Tunisian holiday, Republic Day.

 

Should I one day die among you

but will I ever die

do not recite over my corpse
verses from the Koran
but leave that to those whose business it is
do not promise me two acres of Paradise

for I was happy on one acre of land

do not partake of the traditional couscous on the
third day of my death
it was in fact my favorite dish
do not scatter bits of fig on my grave

for little birds of the sky to peck at
human beings are more in need of them
don’t stop cats urinating on my grave
it was their habit to piss on my doorstep every Thursday
and it never made the earth shake
do not come to visit me twice a year at the cemetery
I have absolutely nothing with which to welcome you
do not swear by the pace of my soul that you are
telling the truth even when lying
your truths and your lies are of no interest to me
and the peace of my soul is none of your business
do not pronounce on the day of my funeral the ritual phrase:
“in death he preceded us but one day we shall meet again”
this type of race is not my favorite sport
should I one day die among you
but will I ever die

put me on the highest point of your land
and envy me for my untouchability

Translation by Peter Constantine