Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Gihan Omar

Semiology

Don’t wear white –
it makes you pure
but reveals your weakness.
Don’t wear red –
it makes you seductive
but exposes your desire.
Don’t wear yellow –
you’ll look like a piece of sun
but it will confirm your solitude.
Wear black,
only black,
wear it all the time –
the black that sanctifies the color of your skin
and looks like the sky praising the moon,
the black that makes you feel as if I’ve died
and you are in mourning.
You mix your tears with coffee beans
and light the candles
in your wardrobe
so your bright dresses can dance,
can celebrate
my passing.

Tekens

Draag geen witte kleding
die je puur moet maken
maar je zwakte toont
Draag geen rood
dat je begeerd moet maken
maar begeerten toont
Draag geen geel
het begin is zonnig
maar het maakt eenzaam
Kleed je zwart
alleen zwart
kleed je altijd zwart
zwart dat de huidskleur heiligt
dat het lijkt dat de hemel de maan prijst
zwart laat mij denken dat ik dood ben
dat jij rouwt
Jij mengt tranen met koffiebonen
en steekt kaarsen aan
in de klerenkast
om gekleurde jurken te laten dansen
en mijn dood te vieren

سيميولوجيا

لا ترتدي الأبيض
يجعلك نقية
لكنه يكشف ضعفك ..
لا ترتدي الأحمر
يجعلك فاتنة
لكنه يفضح شهوتك ..
لا ترتدي الأصفر
تبدين كقطعة من الشمس
لكنه يؤكد وحدتك ..
ارتدي الأسود
الأسود فقط
ارتديه طوال الوقت ..
الأسود الذي يقدس لون بشرتك
ويبدو كسماء تُسَبِّحُ لقمرٍ
الأسود الذي يشعرني بأني مِتُّ
وأنك في فترة الحداد ..
تمزجين دموعك بحبات البن
وتضيئين الشموع
في دولاب ملابسك
لترقص فساتينك الملونة ..
احتفاءً برحيلي.
Close

Semiology

Don’t wear white –
it makes you pure
but reveals your weakness.
Don’t wear red –
it makes you seductive
but exposes your desire.
Don’t wear yellow –
you’ll look like a piece of sun
but it will confirm your solitude.
Wear black,
only black,
wear it all the time –
the black that sanctifies the color of your skin
and looks like the sky praising the moon,
the black that makes you feel as if I’ve died
and you are in mourning.
You mix your tears with coffee beans
and light the candles
in your wardrobe
so your bright dresses can dance,
can celebrate
my passing.

Semiology

Don’t wear white –
it makes you pure
but reveals your weakness.
Don’t wear red –
it makes you seductive
but exposes your desire.
Don’t wear yellow –
you’ll look like a piece of sun
but it will confirm your solitude.
Wear black,
only black,
wear it all the time –
the black that sanctifies the color of your skin
and looks like the sky praising the moon,
the black that makes you feel as if I’ve died
and you are in mourning.
You mix your tears with coffee beans
and light the candles
in your wardrobe
so your bright dresses can dance,
can celebrate
my passing.
Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Ludo Pieters Gastschrijver Fonds
Lira fonds
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère