Taha Salim is from Iraq but currently resides in Greece, having attained a bachelor’s degree in economics. Taha writes articles, poems, and short stories in Arabic, and translates them into English. Taha is currently in the process of writing and translating a debut novel.
Stop
Stop.
Stop and take a glance at your past, weary with defeats.
Stop and cast your eyes over your body, covered in wounds.
Stop and look into your spirit, saturated with gas.
Stop and take off the underwear that is constraining your insides.
Stop and remove the watch that broke long before your birth.
Time has no importance in the face of death’s ugly end.
Start your day in the middle of the night; kill off your distorted little dreams.
Turn your concerns to the birds–who will give them bread?
Worry about the mermaids–who will make love to them when they are half fish?
Be God in the morning; be a little smarter than him.
Create humans who fly high, for the earth is weary and wants rest from our footsteps.
Be the devil in the evening and listen to God with passion.
Play him a dulcet little tune until he readies himself again for sin.
You can contact Taha via email at tahasalim9494@gmail.com.