Venice masks

Wednesday, 16 September 2026

Put out on the fields - Antonio Machado

Put out on the fields
a physical laborer, a thinker, and a poet.

Tuesday, 15 September 2026

Land lost - Alessio Zanelli

Land lost. Land of me. Home to dreams.
The dreams have gone and she has turned into dreams.

Monday, 14 September 2026

Sunflower - Maarja Kangro

Ah, sunflower, withered flower,
offspring of the empire,
I was away a long time
and now you are drooping.

Saturday, 12 September 2026

The Illuminated Manuscript - Kenneth Steven

They brought me from Ireland, still a boy
to begin their book.

I remember the day I left —
soft bread, a silvering of geese, the sound of my mother.

Friday, 4 September 2026

The Archer - Zahrad

It is a sharp, shining
cupid's point I aim
at your heart and draw

Thursday, 3 September 2026

Loch Uisk, Isle Of Mull - John Campbell

Yon vale among the mountains,
So sheltered from the sea,
That lake which lies so lonely,
Shall tell their tale to thee.

Wednesday, 2 September 2026

Fable of Hawk and Nightingale - Hesiod

And now I will tell a fable for princes who themselves understand. 
Thus said the hawk to the nightingale with speckled neck, 
while he carried her high up among the clouds, gripped fast in his talons, 
and she, pierced by his crooked talons, cried pitifully. 

Tuesday, 1 September 2026

Eclipses - Ribka Sibhatu

There are people who starve to death,
others who sleep rough in the winter

Monday, 31 August 2026

Time - Canisius Filibert

Long ago my
Ancestors knew time
They counted moons
They watched sunrises
No one needed hours
Nor tiny little seconds
Days were enough

Sunday, 30 August 2026

From my lips in their defilement - John of Da­mas­cus

From  my lips in their defilement,
From my heart in its beguilement. 
From my tongue which speaks not fair, 
From my soul stained everywhere, 
O my Jesus, take my prayer!

Saturday, 29 August 2026

Port - Pedro Serrano

The city tastes of the sea,
rings saltpeter bells,
sways its long arms of willow,
licks the frightened bones of its planes,
and flees in a tangled web of defection.

Thursday, 27 August 2026

What (E)Merges - Omar Sakr

It is a national emergency
when people with faces
(like mine) seek refuge.

Wednesday, 26 August 2026

A Bag of Perseverance - Shahd Alnaouq

I am to live in a tent, together with my perseverance.
Each night I wrap myself in her, begging her
not to abandon me on this long dark road.

Tuesday, 25 August 2026

Lost Things - Carol Shields

It sometimes happens when looking for
Lost objects, a book, a picture or
A coin or spoon,
That something falls across the mind—
Not quite a shadow but what a shadow would be
In a place that lacked light.

Monday, 24 August 2026

The ass - Sa’dī

True, the poor ass is dull;
but then for carrying loads 'tis dear to men. 

Sunday, 23 August 2026

The Chalcedonian Creed - Anonymous

We, then, following the holy Fathers, all with one consent,
teach men to confess one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, 
the same perfect in Godhead and also perfect in manhood; 

Saturday, 22 August 2026

Emergency Meeting - Abdullah Al Salem

Baghdad, be patient.  What’s the rush?
We’ll come solve the problem.
We’ve never forgotten you;
We’ve just been busy with related tales.

Wednesday, 19 August 2026

Triumphant march - Rubén Darío

Comes the parade now with one accord,
Marching comes the army and the clear, bright bugling begins.
Fearsome is the glittering of each reflected sword,
With gold and steel amassing the moving paladins.

Tuesday, 18 August 2026

A Sad State Of Freedom - Nazim Hikmet

You waste the attention of your eyes,
the glittering labour of your hands,
and knead the dough enough for dozens of loaves
of which you'll taste not a morsel;
you are free to slave for others—
you are free to make the rich richer.

Monday, 17 August 2026

Alas! I sigh with languor - Su Hui

Alas! I sigh with languor
Over the one who wandered from the way.