Adapted from a poem by Nasser Kandil With Arabic title ‘صباح القدس للرد الآتي’
A Quds morning to the imminent response: dynasty against tyranny,
for the resistance on all fronts holds legitimacy.
From Iraq to Iran, to the heart of Lebanon,
facing assaults on people and territory.
The right to defence, a scheme for changing the scene,
Imposing new equations where confrontation is the only option seen
The spectre of war draws near, re-emerging rather than fading away.
The American stands at the crossroads, with the proclamations he heralds…
His ally in a dilemma – yearning for destruction…
Yet the resistance will boldly confront
where desire meets destiny, and fear holds no sway.
The American roams, cloaked in a resolution quest,
fearing to swallow the bait and descend into the abyss.
After calling for complete eradication…
blurts out praises for Hamas’s might and prowess
Proposing an alternative to a failed war…
He kills, spills blood, and aids in assassinations.
Once hope was lost, and despair prevailed,
The resistance’s might brought new revelations
It’s a matter of time, and time is a matter above all…
How will he resolve the conundrum of the Red Sea?
And what if Iraq and Syria blaze and escalate?
What will the new base of his war be?
Smuggling warships won’t evade Ha-Mavet,
Nor will withdrawing the occupying army calm the threat.
On one hand, waging war from afar is the goal,
And reducing the pace of escalation is the role.
On the other, there’s a need to restore maritime might
And confront the issue with unwavering resolve and insight.
Yemen scorns decisions and wields its weapon with steadfast pride,
Determined and resolute, ready to turn the tide.
And if the Israeli heeds Western advice and slows the war’s pace…
The worst scenario will be for the occupation’s case.
What will he tell the families and displaced settlers about the fate of negotiations?
And what narrative will he spin on safe returns and deterrence,
When all he has caused is proliferations?
In the wake of the anticipated deadly response,
A predicament that breeds profound confusion.
An entanglement that dissolves ironclad commitment and sets things right,
The Yankee reconsiders and reveals to his ally that the desire for war is, in truth, a blight
And if his stubbornness persists, despair will deepen upon despair,
for he has only witnessed a fraction of the resistance’s might –
a valour that embodies the essence of a knight.
Our people …warriors keeping watch, unfazed by threats,
caring only for the awaited wrath…
Their eyes on the battlefield as they count the days and nights.
With Randa Siksik