ll always be grateful to Helena Nelson, my first editor, for having faith in my work when I didn’t.
Menna Abu Zahraцитирапреди 2 години
Granta for their support – especially to Eleanor Chandler for her owl-eyed suggestions.
Menna Abu Zahraцитирапреди 2 години
This book arose out of innumerable conversations and encounters. There are some people named in the poems (some names have been changed), but many others float lovingly in the background. I hope they know who they are and what they mean to me.
Menna Abu Zahraцитирапреди 2 години
These poems are spoken in memory of those who can’t hear them: Tjandra Sari, aka Mak (1931–2018) Swadaya Sitiabudi (1923–1979) John P. Harris (1923–2003) Emy van der Spek (1929–2002)
Menna Abu Zahraцитирапреди 2 години
and I asked if everything was OK. Yes, everything’s OK, you said, suddenly embarrassed, but wait, why am I telling you this
Menna Abu Zahraцитирапреди 2 години
and need a voice capacious enough to be both me and not-me,
Menna Abu Zahraцитирапреди 2 години
I reject the possibility of narrating any life other than my own
Menna Abu Zahraцитирапреди 2 години
I feel it still. But not with guilt. Reverberating in me. My rickety city.
Menna Abu Zahraцитирапреди 2 години
My freight train. My empty din.
Menna Abu Zahraцитирапреди 2 години
No jokes today please. See me slumped against the door. Up to my knees.