For Zulfa

by Nizar Sartawi
(Amman, Jordan)

Awakened

by her fragrant breath

her warm whispers

floating above my face

her tender hands

holding mine

I touch the slender fingers

one

by

one

passing my lips

on the soft skin.



The smell of the hot coffee

fills the room

I take

a deep breath

as the morning sunshine

brightens the olive green curtains.