Najwan Darwish trans. by Kareem James Abu-Zeid

I know nothing

I know nothing.
My regret is light
like a murdered bird
still hovering in the air.
I know only my regret.
It was murdered, but doesn’t know it.
It fell
and forgot its song in space.

Read Najwan Darwish’s “A Tune” and “I Know Nothing,” both translated by Kareem James Abu-Zeid, in the print edition of The Arkansas International 6.

Najwan Darwish, born in Jerusalem in 1978, is an acclaimed Palestinian poet who writes in Arabic. His work has been translated into over 20 languages, and his 2014 book Nothing More to Lose was listed as one of NPR’s best books of the year.

Kareem James Abu-Zeid is a translator of poets and novelists from across the Arab world. His work has earned him an NEA translation grant (2018), PEN Center USA’s Translation Award (2017), Poetry magazine’s translation prize (2014), and other honors. His website is kareemjamesabuzeid.com.