A Friend
by Nabilah Al-Sheikh
translated by Hatem Al-Shamea
Oh, be my friend,
In times of silence, when words fail to express,
When thoughts swirl within, like a tempest’s caress.
Oh, be my friend,
A confidant true, with a heart open wide,
Where secrets reside, in a haven of pride.
Oh, be my friend,
A beacon of light, in the darkness I roam,
A solace to my soul, a place called home.
When I’m long gone from sight,
Misunderstand me not, for my absence takes flight,
To realms where words cannot reach, where silence holds might.
Oh, be my friend,
In my absence, let not doubt take its hold,
For my spirit still lingers, in stories yet untold.
I boast of a friend,
A rare gem so pure, with a soul ever true,
In honesty’s embrace, their spirit shines through.
When I hear their voice,
I shrink into a child, seeking solace and choice,
Their words like a torrent, flowing wild and free,
A symphony of truth, setting my spirit free.
Oh, be my friend,
In my absence, let not loneliness bind,
For my wounds find solace, in your friendship I find.
A thousand faces, a thousand tongues,
Yet only in silence, true peace belongs.
So speak, my dear friend,
Of the heavens above, of life’s vibrant thread,
For I listen with heart, with every word said.
With each tale you weave,
My spirit takes flight, in a haven of peace,
Forgetting the burdens, the worries that cease.
Oh, speak, my dear friend,
For I often forget, the beauty that lies,
In the depths of our souls, where true friendship resides.
And when I fall silent,
When words fail to rise,
When anger and sorrow, cloud my skies,
Understand my silence,
The language untold,
Of a heart that’s been wounded, a story yet sold.
For when words cannot reach,
And tears cannot flow,
And strength seems to vanish, where did it go?
In that silent embrace,
In your friendship’s embrace,
I find solace and strength, in this sacred space.
Oh, be my friend,
In my silence, my pain,
In the depths of my soul, where true friendship remains.
A New Home – Nabila Al-Sheikh – trans. Hatem Al-Shamea
