Hell (جحيم)
By Ameer Hamad
Translated by Hoda Ali
We were expelled from the water
We were expelled from the fire
We are those born in hell
The planters of its tree
We have no right of access
To its hot stones
We work silently below
We cool the rocks with our bodies
And we throw away polished statues
Upwards
So that our passing brothers pick them up.
Special Section: ‘To the Students of Columbia University’