Happy Being-day to Me

Another year has faded away

How much time still there to stay

before my hair turns to gray

and sneaking lines, day by day,

devour my skin as a hopeless prey?

What have you brought me, birthday?

Ah!

What have I done or have I had?

What does my being, exactly, add?

Doesn't its end seem like its start?

What does life mean when heart is sad?

Another day I can't just stand.

No!

That can't be more than silly deceit.

I won't let you (myself) misread

every cute cat lives in the streets,

the delightful chocolate, the dizzying sweets,

each time my heart, for some, just beats,

the time we sit to chat and eat,

the charming words I write and read,

the countless tears, my soul, they heat,

when I just talk and someone heeds,

when shyness makes my face so sweet

and when my lips with smile they meet.

How so lucky to be, indeed!

Or else I miss this being's elite

O Allah

If Thou had not set me free

when Thou said to me just "Be!",

I would have missed knowing Thee,

 eternity's joy I would never see.

Bless my being anniversary!

Salma

24/6/2005