The Studio At noon, the crowd was immense and they were lined up in front of the post office window, eagerly awaiting their salaries. During the wait, they counted their debts, speculated how much of their meagre salaries would be left and discussed their financial predicaments. One woman stood out in the line – her …
The Studio – Nabilah Al-Sheikh – trans. Hatem Al-Shamea Read More »
No Name No Address He gazed up at the ceiling of the room he shared with his wife and three children, recalling a time when life was simpler and he slept with peace of mind, knowing his salary would come at the end of the month to cover his obligations. Tears streamed down his face …
No Name No Address – Najat Ba Hakeem – trans. Hatem Al-Shamea Read More »
Bait He approached her with love, smiled at her kindly, extended a hand of goodwill, raising the flags of peace. She approached confidently, and a bullet pierced her wing, revealing that he was… the hunter! Disappointment – Eman Al-Maziji – trans. Hatem Al-Shamea
Disappointment We stood in the same place, our eyes fixed on the target. Each of us tried to distract the other to seize the opportunity. He was faster than me, grabbed the meal from the ground, and fled, leaving me crying, hungry. That dog. Unknown Place – Saeed Mohammed Al-Hammadi – (trans.): Hatem Al-Shamea
Unknown Place Evening descended heavily upon the city, and the stars suspended in the sky unveiled the curtain of the night. He was sitting in his room, a room measuring three meters, with just one bed. He loved lying on the floor above the sponge. In front of him were drawings and diagrams. In his …
Unknown Place – Saeed Mohammed Al-Hammadi – (trans.): Hatem Al-Shamea Read More »
The Ten Nights A bottle filled with oil, another with gas, and a hundred loaves of bread, they awaited their arrival every morning with bated breath. She sat on a stone in front of the frying pan and the gas burner, which she kept with her every day, under the watchful eye of Uncle Mohammed, …
The Ten Nights – Fatima Wahidi – trans. by: Hatem Al-Shamea Read More »
Escape of a Corpse Its threads sneaked through the gaps in the curtains, flirting with the bare hairs on his chest. He felt their pricks, tossed on the edge of the bed, his eyelids heavy as if they didn’t know if he had been sleeping for a day or two in the depths of slumber. …
Escape of a Corpse – a short story by Entesar Asseri – trans. by Hatem Al-Shamea Read More »
“Memory” The short story “Memory” written by the Yemeni short story writer, Entesar Asseri, invites readers into a world characterized by amnesia and fragmented recollections. This narrative explores themes of memory, identity, and the complexities of human consciousness. It delves into the surreal realm of the protagonist’s mind, where he grapples with the absence of …
Let them bomb, you are not a target let them rage, you are far more enraged Let them mobilize, you know that well The most terrifying are the most fearful *** Richer, but more miserable Weaker, but more brazen Hidden, but more obvious Ashamed, but more distinguished They have iron and fire But they are …
Let Them Bomb – A Poem by Abdullah Al-Baraduni – translated by Hatem Al-Shamea Read More »
Memory After my mind submitted its resignation and declared its departure from work, I began to suffer and endure the daily toil of searching for a new memory. Oh, that memory! Where did it disappear to? Did I need to recall it before I went to sleep? Where are you, you elusive one? Oh, maybe …
Memory – a short story by Entesar Asseri – translated by Hatem Al-Shamea Read More »
A Loaf of Bread (رغيف)Black Sack – by Ali Abdullah Al-Ajri With reddened eyes, brimming with tears, he approached with faltering steps. His legs bumped into each other as he made his way towards the wise man of the neighborhood. “Sir, this is my brother, yes, my only brother,” he said. “I didn’t visit him …
A Loaf of Bread (رغيف) – A short story by Entesar Asseri – translated by Hatem Al-Shamea Read More »
Introduction: “Black Sack” is a thought-provoking short story written by Yemeni author Ali Abdullah Al-Ajri. The narrative explores themes of power, manipulation, and the consequences of blind obedience. Through its vivid imagery and symbolic elements, the story invites readers to reflect on the dangers of relinquishing personal agency and the potential dehumanization that can arise …
Black Sack Our department was one of the most important in the country. It used to be bustling with a large number of employees until it was hit by a mysterious epidemic, which caused most of the staff to flee and abandon their work completely. Only ten people remained in the department, including myself and …
The Appointment She gazed at the walls of her room, feeling a sense of confinement. Dishevelled clothes lay scattered on the bed and shelves. Her eyes turned towards the four-door wardrobe, and her reflection appeared in the mirror. It was a beautiful image, with a slender nose, prominent lips, circular black eyes, and a bronze …
The Struggle for Identity and Resistance in Mahmoud Darwish’s “O Passersby among Transient Words” by Hatem Al-Shamea Introduction: Mahmoud Darwish’s poem “O Passersby among Transient Words” is a powerful and poignant piece that captures the essence of Palestinian identity, resistance, and the longing for freedom. In this short analysis, we will delve into the profound …
The Enamoured Demon-Possessed a novel by Ahmed Abdu Translated By Hatem Al-Shamea Excerption from the novel Prelude We believed in God and that dinosaurs could go extinct, and indeed it happened. However, they left behind herds of cats. These were the words of Ibn Hathoot, uttered when he emerged from seclusion one day, venturing …
The Enamoured Demon-Possessed – by Ahmed Abdu – Trans. by: Hatem Al-Shamea Read More »
Chapter One It was the season when Mokhtar’s father had deemed him ready for marriage, and Mokhtar assumed the guise of a demure maiden, cloaking himself in an aura of modesty. He was well aware that this façade of shyness was not born out of genuine timidity, but rather an escape from a predetermined fate …
Al-Thajjah – a Novel written by Fikria Shahrah – trans. by Hatem Al-Shamea Read More »
In my homeland, tidings of joy unfurled, Awake, O larks, with melodic trill. Flags of glory danced, radiant and bold, Ascending heights, adorned with pottery’s thrill. This September’s balance, a scale of grace, It arrived, heralding blessings untold. Eid graced my land, prosperity embraced, Cities adorned, bathed in luminous gold. Gone, the cloud of distress …
The Rural Life in Wisam Al-Absi’s Portrayal of Plowing Wisam Al-Absi’s painting depicting a man plowing a field with an ox is a captivating representation of the timeless and arduous act of manual labor. This evocative artwork transports viewers to a simpler time, invoking a sense of nostalgia and connection to the Earth. In this …
Rural Life in Wisam Al-Absi’s Portrayal of Plowing – Hatem Al-Shamea Read More »
Introduction: Hanan Al-Qubaisi’s oil painting, which won the 2020 ICESCO Prize, offers a poignant portrayal of Yemen’s tragic descent into conflict and the loss of its storied historical identity. By positioning a regal yet grief-stricken woman amid the ruins of Sana’a’s iconic urban landscape, the artist powerfully conveys the profound human toll of Yemen’s political …
Introduction Raya Ahmed’s short story “A Husband for My Mother” offers a poignant exploration of the lingering effects of paternal absence on a child through the lens of the protagonist Shams’ innocent yet misguided quest. Employing realist techniques amidst surrealist undertones, Ahmed illuminates Shams’psychological turmoil resulting from her lack of a father figure. This paper …
Introduction Wajdi Al-Ahdal’s short story “Hitler Goes to Paradise” is a postmodern work that employs surrealism and metafiction to critique power structures and question perceptions of reality. Through absurdist symbolism and intertextuality, Al-Ahdal subverts expectations of paradise while examining political leadership, religion, and humanity’s fleeting control over destiny. This paper will analyze the story’s unconventional …
A bizarre occurrence arose – I felt no shame over my nakedness! Not even my personal doctor had ever seen me in such a state. Yet she gazed upon me without discomfort. We were in a room that outwardly resembled a phone booth in size but inwardly was spacious like the fortified headquarters of our …
A Coffee Cup on the Edge of Chaos The Yemeni writer Entesar Asseri‘s latest collection of short stories “A Coffee Cup on the Edge of Chaos” (2023) was recently published by Anawain Books in Cairo. The collection comes in 64 pages of medium size and contains sixteen short stories that vary in subject matter between …
A Coffee Cup on the Edge of Chaos – Entesar Asseri – 2023 Read More »
Introduction Eman Al-Maziji is a contemporary Yemeni writer and author of a collection of flash fiction entitled, “ Burnings 6×4“, she demonstrates nuanced storytelling within a minimalist form. Through symbolic motifs and psychological depth, Al-Maziji conveys profound insights into the human condition within a brief span. This analysis will examine prominent themes across six representative …
A Critical Review on Al-Maziji’s Burnings 6×4 – by Hatem Al-Shamea Read More »
Brothers The state was struck in two parts, it shut its ancient door declaring danger, its sea was dyed red, the people of Cain appeared in it, incapable of covering the bodies of their brothers for the crowdedness of graves…In its outskirts the wolf tries to escape before being accused of the crime. ———————————- Nostalgia …
Burnings 6×4 – flash fiction – by Eman Al-Maziji – translated by Hatem Al-Shamea Read More »
(Sana’a, Yemen) – The shortlist for the 2023 Hazawi Prize for Yemeni Literature has been revealed, announcing the ten writers who have been selected as finalists for this prestigious award. Now in its second yearly round, the Hazawi Prize recognizes exceptional contributions to fiction in Yemeni literature. Organized by the Hazawi Cultural Foundation, this annual …
The World Narrowed Around Me Like a coffin closing in, Hope was all that kept my spirit from dying. My friend, should I take my leave from you, What use then would rubies be after parting? Complaint has never been in my nature, God as my witness, silence I will not keep. Yet time crushed …
The World Narrowed Around Me – by Karim Al-Iraqi – translated by Hatem Al-Shamea Read More »
O Lord… Your people have never clung to your rope alone But strayed and leaned on ropes other than yours And those ropes failed them * * * O Lord… Our kings… Our emirs… our leaders… Trampled on consciences, discernment and bonds And above them they spat!! Who was said to be our scholars… oh …
The Decisive Discourse – by Esa Al-Azab and translated by Hatem Al-Shamea Read More »
Alone behind despair… memories gnaw at me until I weaken And my artistic childhood… amazes me… from the heaviness of my afflictions and feebleness For here I am a child without childhood… and sorrow is my nurse and embracer And the vileness of villains frightens them… and I am without vice, without meanness They feared …
