Iron Flavored Ice Cream

Mahmoud al-Rimawi

 1

The ghost woman was born in year X after Christ

She is older than other aging women

But younger than teenagers at schools.

As a whole she likes being without a definite age.

2

The ghost woman is more feminine than all women.

But more masculine than all men.

3

The ghost woman is either fatigued or confused.

She sighs wishing she was like other women.

Dreaming to be a ghost comes out of a movie chatting throughout the night with the viewers

But O’ Vladimir, what do you suggest..

She would not be a pure woman, nor a pure ghost.

She is good at both with a lot of asceticism and more modesty.

Her imperial aspiration is not fulfilled being merely a ghost woman.

4

She is invisible

Does not emit a spark of light

No address

Mute

Not a sound

No smell

A dark green tree, not armed, with fewer shoots

Expelling birds and memories at once.

*Writer from Palestine who lives in Jordan.

Translation from Arabic: Saleh Razzouk & Philip Terman