IN PRAISE OF ALI is one of Charbel Baini's books translated by from Arabic by Naji Mourad, Joseph G. Yamouni, Elias Shaanin

Psalm 20

 -1-

The final psalm

Of my book..

I wrote with yearning tears,

My life is lacking in happiness

Until we meet eventually,

Oh Ali..

Replenish my life.

-2-

I long for you..

Extend your hand to me,

Assist me,

Heal my wounds,

In your night of ecstasy,

Light me..

As a candle,

With which my soul

May participate.

-3-

All that which I’ve said,

Is heartily authentic,

Engraved upon

My life’s tabloids,

From its letters

I weaved a mantilla,

To grace the flowers

Of  the meadow.

-4-

As a Christian,

I vowed to serenade you,

With a well known tune,

Sung by many before me,

Its words

Beaten upon tambourines,

Upon hand clapping

Which related to you,

How the palms of the hands

Composed a tune,

To pray to you,

And encircle

The temple of your eyes.

-5-

I love them all..

All..

All

Jews..

Christians

And Moslems.

I love them all irrespective,

Of mundane differences.

Our meeting

Will be at a mutual venue,

Where God shall be the judge.

My faith motivated me

To honour them,

And upon psalms lean,

Content to distribute

Aspirations,

Among mankind.

**