May Ziadeh translations

May Ziadeh’s early poems translated by Rose DeMaris

 

May Ziadeh

May Ziadeh (1886-1941) was an inspired, prolific Lebanese Palestinian writer.

Since 2021, I’ve been making creative translations of poems from May’s debut, Fleurs de Rêve, which she published in 1911 under the pen name Isis Copia. Because of my Lebanese heritage—and for many other reasons—I feel a kinship with May. It’s a privilege to spend time with her mind and heart via her writing, and to publish the first English translations of her poems.

The Star-King of two worlds, Earth and firmament,

sifts gold dust over your skin…