I have no power - Excerpt of Nizar Kabani, poet

“I have no power to change your nature
My books are of no use to you
and my convictions do not convince you
nor does my fatherly advice do you any good

You are the queen of chaos, of madness, belonging to no one
Stay that way

You are the tree of femininity, that grows in the darkness
needs no sun or water

You are the sea princess who has loved
all men and has loved no one

Slept with all men
and slept with no one

You are the Bedouin woman, who went with all tribes,
and returned a virgin

Stay that way.”