Mahmoud Darwish

Identity Card

RECORD!!
I am an Arab
and my identity card is number fifty
thousand
I have eight children
and the nineth
is coming in midsummer
Will you be angry?

Record!
I am an Arab
employed with fellow workers
at a quarry

I have eight children
to get them bread
garments
and books
from the rocks-
I do not supplicate
charity
at your doors
Nor do I belittle myself
at the footsteps of your chamber
So will you be angry?

RECORD!!
I am an Arab
without a name- without title
in a patient country
with people enraged
My roots-
were entrenched before the birth of time
and before the opening of the eras
before the olive trees, athe
pines, and grass

My father-
descends from the family of the plow
not from a privileged class
And my grandfather-
was a farmer
neither well-bred, nor well-born
And my house-
is like a watchman's hut
made of branches and cane
This is my status
Does it satisfy you?
I have a name but no title.

RECORD!!
I am an Arab
The color of my hair-is black
The color of my eyes-is brown
And my distinctive features:
The head-dress hatta wi'gal
And the hand is solid like a rock
My favorite meal
is olive oil and thyme {zatar}
ANd my address:

A village-isolated and deserted
where the streets have no names
and the men-work in the fields and quarries
THey like socialism
Will you be angry?

RECORD!!!
I am an Arab
You have stolen the orchards
of my ancestors
and the land
which I cultivated
Along with my children
And you left us with those rocks
so will the State take them
as it has been said?

Therefore!
Record on the top of the first page:
I do not hate man
Nor do I encroach
But if I become hungry
The usurper's flesh will be my food

Beware-beware- of my hunger
and my anger!!