Cover by Randa Baini
**
Translator’s preface
This is not the first time; I translate Charbel Baini’s poetry.
I participated in the translation of his famous book “In praise of Ali”, from Arabic to English.
Truthfully, the initial translation of the book to the English language was very successful, thus encouraged me to translate more of Charbel Baini’s poetry. The reason this book is titled “joys and tears” is because his writing relates to some of his family members, who are also my kin, as Charbel and I are cousins, and his grievances and celebrations also become my own.
Some readers may say, these poems are composed solely for private family occasions, which may not be of interest to other people, but if we paused and thought about it , we would realize that we all have a father, a mother, a grandfather, a grandmother, an uncle, an aunt or a relative, and whatever befalls them, befalls us. We will then comprehend the real importance of these poems.
Judging by his joys and tears, we are able to define the poet Charbel Baini.
Is he humanitarian?
Is he an anarchist?
Is he selfish?
Is he a tender-loving person?
His cries are genuine and there are no false pretences about his happiness, he never changes, as he is a mirror of his true self. That is exactly what you are going to discover in his poems; the poet Charbel Baini unmasked.
As is always the case, no matter how brilliant the translator can be, there are parts that get lost in the translation, as there are no equivalent English words that can capture the essence of the beautiful Arabic language.
I know that I did my best to preserve and keep Charbel’s poetic picture and imagination in English as is it in Arabic. I only hope, I have succeeded in that endeavour... Happy reading!
Elias Shaanin
Melbourne, Australia
**************
Cheers
**************
**************
Sarkis and Samantha
I love you, yes I do, my nephew
You are carrying my father’s name: Sarkis.
When you asked Samantha to marry you, we celebrated.
Because she is beautiful, like a Chilean flower,
O, the only son,
We love to sing for you a thousand songs,
And congratulate your beloved father,
Look at him, at his smile to feel his happiness,
In his only son’s wedding,
We lit the candles of joy,
And represented them as a gift,
Your mother Therese threw on us
In the wedding of love, all the red roses
There is a magic line between you and her,
That’s why you become like her full of kindness,
We could not find a name like yours,
“Sarkis Tony”.. Show off a little.
Before your grandmother died
She wrote a will, a beautiful will,
We cried when we read it:
She gave you her wedding ring as a gift,
We raised our hand to heaven
And near us there was a bible,
We heard a lot of blessing from above,
And you are blessed a million times,
Samantha is now your wife,
And we are proud to welcome her
From now and on as “Mrs Baini”.
**
April Moon
When I received the news of the marriage of my cousins Elie Shaanin and Louise Baini, I composed this poem especially for them.
-1-
I wished for so long to be there
For your bolt of the blue nuptial day!
I can tell the past and teach the present
How long I waited
For this magical moment
To cheer a brother and a sister
And share their most happy day.
-2-
Elie, my loyal and spirited cousin,
April moon envied your persona
Wherever you walk in shadow of your steps
The Jasmine blossoms everywhere
With the name of Elie written on their leaves
Elie who eternalises Lebanon’s name.
-3-
Dearest Louise, my tender-loving cousin,
You are the sister I never had,
The Nightingale danced on your wedding day
And chanted: O what a creative mind,
And instructive thoughts.
Treasure within your heart,
The love for your endeared spouse.
I swear by Almighty God,
You are and you will always be;
Our dearest and most loved couple.
**
Egypt
Egypt, you’re the mother,
Please, lend your ear…
I miss you overwhelmingly
I add to your famous Nile
Another river flow of my tears
If the Pyramids divulged my true love
You would’ve surely known,
My heart has stayed behind
In my endless expatriation,
I’m drowned in my sorrow
Since I embraced your iconic soil,
All my suffering has vanished
A shining smile has burst,
Upon the lips of the loved ones
I thought, the stars have hastily fallen
Mother of the world! Is what I see, true?
Are the nations listening to my beseeching?
Kindly, extend your hand to me
For he who cannot bring glory, is not a creator
I poured my passion in a fragrant poem
Enjoy this love and be pampered
You, Egypt, are the art and tongue
Your rhythmic tunes and your songs
Overwhelmingly, enriched my hearing
You are, and you will always be .
The tender motherly embrace
Who shall unite your children?
If you, yourself, did not.
**
Joe and Therese
The wedding of Joe M Baini and Therese A Draybi
-1-
When love unites two hearts we say:
Roses came into buds in gardens.
Today, we celebrate the wedding
Of the most beautiful couple
-2-
Joe Baini, the son of Marcel
My youngest brother whom I love
If the fate ever touched one hair of his head
I sacrifice my life for him and a lot more
Like the prophet Jobe, who endured so much
To give pleasure to the gracious Lord
So is Laure, your tender loving mother,
Wrapped around you a shawl of prayers
Charbel’s mother a loving caring mom
You can learn from her, passion and sacrifice
This family is enriched with sainthood,
To her the mountains would bow in respect
When it comes to love, passion and sacrifice
She would attain the highest credentials
You are a flag of glory, no one can achieve,
Bearing in its centre, a Cedar from Lebanon
-3-
This bride whose beauty prettified Hadchit
She was my student, and I know her persona
She told me like her mother she was raised
Wearing the same grace of her deeds
Antoinette, like her no one can ever bear
The world would attest to her generous doings
And Tony Draybi, my passionate father,
Raised me with love and tenderness
Two daughters he only has
Which one will he treasure more?
With my brothers, I walk the same path
In our small and beautiful family,
However, I did not forget her heartbreak
When the bishop performed her marriage
I asked myself while my eyes dimmed with tears,
Where is her brother Pierre, to carry her?
-4-
In my dream, I saw Pierre coming
Like an angel from heaven
I heard him saying to me:
Embrace for me, the bride and groom
And offer them many congratulations
Therese in her gown, is like the sun,
The mirror is jealous of her smile.
In the darkness of repatriation,
She once said to me:
Brother, your love is like a verse
When I left, I held no fear for my father Antoine
I feared that my mother, with a heavy heart,
Would give up living, without me
-5-
Oh Therese, the poem always tells me
That St Roumanos increased our yields
The saint of Hadchit is a star in heaven
During the time of infidelity, death and scarcity
Like you I shall burn more incense
So He could find a solution for these issues
After the wedding, a change will take place
For the Lord to protect your Joseph
To Saint Joseph, you must say few prayers.
**
Audrey
Audrey… The angel child who lost her father when she was barely one month old. Her mother Melanie celebrating her first birthday in royal style. Why should she not, when Audrey is the crowned queen of our hearts.
-1-
I told him: your daughter is a queen,
He choked and couldn’t utter a word.
I told him: She often smiles at me,
I see his big smile emerge.
-2-
Jimmy left and travelled too far,
He is certainly watching and celebrating,
Overjoyed for his daughter happiness,
While she glows in her new attire.
-3-
When Audrey blows the candles,
Jimmy’s engraved in her heart,
She reluctantly holds her tears,
She cannot bear to see him sad.
-4-
Every day that goes by,
Melanie tells her story,
How sleep had forsaken her,
And the bitterness of your departure
-5-
For Audrey, your daughter,
Tula and Arthur are always there,
With overwhelming warmth and love,
With their unbelievable care,
And the scent of a lovely man
-6-
Therese, Audrey’s grandmother,
Wove her, a shawl of tenderness
As for Michel, her grandfather,
She is really driving him mad.
-7-
I won’t tell you about her ma,
A rare mother like no other,
After her, the mould was broken.
Caring for Audrey unceasingly,
As if you were still here.
-8-
Audrey is pampered by us all,
Relax and never fear for her,
As you watch her well surrounded,
She’s adored by one and by all.
-9-
O Jimmy, we are here your guests,
We came to thank you for your deeds,
Audrey, the epitome of beauty,
We see you, when we see her.
**
First Communion
The first communion of Joseph Anthony Baini
14 June 2015
-1-
Dear Joseph, you’ve become a young man
You carry your grandfather’s name
A name, we pray, is blessed with a long life.
Your smiley face, your bright eyes
And lips which are like the flowers
Compliment your elegant stature.
When you stand before your dad
And you are the light of his eyes
He proudly compares you to our Cedars.
On the face of your loving mother
She wears you as a beauty spot
And to show you off, she would say:
This is my only son and his sister
JOSEPH and Ella are all my dreams.
-2-
Today, at your Holy Communion
You take with Jesus, the walk of faith
Jesus loves you; He holds your hand
You joyfully receive Him into your heart.
He will grant you, every wish
Ask Him, as He’s our ultimate judge
To prolong your dear parents life.
And to provide your little sister
With a dress of an infinite grace
That’s woven by Saint Joseph’s hands.
Ask Jesus, to protect your parents
Who are a vineyard of generosity
So they don’t lose one single grape.
-3-
Your gene is “Baini”, of a proud descent
And your blood is mixed with Sarhan’s
That supports the pillars of your house.
**
My niece Georgette
Baptism of niece Georgette George Sarkis Baini
-1-
Georgette, my goddaughter,
The pride of my homeland,
I came today, to pour my tears,
In the holy font of your baptism
You are the light of my eyes,
I dream of your glowing face,
I dream of your lovely smile,
Sleeping has forsaken me.
I swear by Almighty God,
My heart fears no blasphemy,
You’re the daughter I never had.
-2-
This occasion is for your eyes,
You’re our faith and happiness,
Children will inherit Paradise,
Our Saviour has verily said.
In your eyes, we see paradise,
I wish I could lay at your feet,
The highest of the world’s peaks,
And decorate the green valleys,
On your wedding day,
Beg the plains, for a melody,
Which begins in Sydney Australia
And ends in Mejdlaya, Lebanon.
**
Antoine and Therese
The day I knew of the marriage of my oldest brother Antoine Baini to our neighbour Miss Therese Anissi, year 1967, I composed this poem.
From Lebanon, I call on Melbourne,
To tell my brother Antoine,
I’ll always be grateful to him,
And cherish his memory.
Father’s son is getting married
In the darkness of expatriation,
His beacons light the way,
Antoine is our oldest brother,
At his door the sun shines,
And his Therese beside him,
Full of goodness and generosity,
Her smile quenched his thirst.
He loved her since they were kids,
And offered her all his heart,
My dear brother is getting married,
To our dearest neighbour Therese,
My poetry will always tell:
Of a lovely couple untarnished,
In their auspicious expatriation,
And ever since their departure,
Our cedars never ceased to miss them.
**
George and Anne
I composed this poem the day I received the news of the marriage of my brother George Baini to our cousin Antoinette Bahri, year 1969.
-1-
My brother George is smitten,
Flowers of love shape
His Anne’s name
I pray to Almighty God,
To shine upon and protect them
My brother is young and handsome,
And Anne is like a fragrant rose,
Her smile made his heart palpitate,
For her, he has forsaken all.
-2-
Pour O God your abundant blessings,
Upon them and protect Sydney,
Adorn their way with silk and flowers.
Anne is a princess and George her prince,
A hero and a knight like no other,
Protect them always, O Divine Judge,
Kfirsgab joyfully danced for them,
Mejdlaya chanted jovial poetry;
And sent its heart a special gift
**
Joseph and Veronica
I was in Sydney, when I received the news of the marriage of my brother Joseph to our cousin Veronica Bahri 3/9/1972
-1-
Joseph, my brother is getting married,
In saint Joseph’s hedged abbey,
Saint Joseph is very happy,
The wedding is held in His place.
-2-
All the people of Sydney,
Attest to Veronica Bahri,
When she stood in the Church,
God blessed her with His right.
My father Sarkis proudly asked,
My mother to release her cheers.
-3-
My brother Joe is my companion,
Ever since we were little,
With a heart full of joy,
I prayed to God and asked Him,
To complete his happiness,
We stood together in our youth,
And we will remain very close
When we get to be old.
A bridegroom brimful of love,
O Mejdlaya, beat your drums,
O Sydney, cover them with flowers.
**
Michael and Therese
While in Sydney, I received the news of the marriage of my brother Michael to our cousin Therese Yammouni, on the island of Cyprus year 1976, I composed this poem especially for the happy occasion.
O Cyprus!
For God’s sake let me know
How my tears become so bountiful
And my heart throbbing sturdily
O Cyprus!
On my behalf,
Decorate your city squares
And embrace my brother so tenderly.
O My neighbour!
Congratulate Therese - His bride
And from your flowers
Give them a gift
And let a choir of birds
Sing in their wedding!
George, her father
And her mother Carmen
So happy for their obedient daughter!
To his daughter-in-law
My father said:
Your wishes will be granted
Your aunt Patronella will cover for me
My dearest niece from Barsa
A bride and a ray of sunshine
To you I will say it once:
You and Micho are forever in my heart
You are not only my niece
But also my only daughter
Congratulations my dearest daughter.
**
Marcel and Laure
The day I received the news of the marriage of my youngest brother Marcel Baini to the daughter of beloved Rechdibbine, Laure Deeb year 1976, I composed this poem:
My youngest brother is in love,
With a young lass from Rechdibbine,
Laure is her beautiful name,
And she’s like a fragrant rose.
My brother adored her,
And passionately embraced her
He chose her from her father’s vineyard,
And said: Laure will always be mine.
He selected her ring so carefully,
To adorn her soft and delicate hands
He then swore by Almighty God,
To make her happy and be loyal to her
From Australia, I whisper in her ear:
With you among us dearest Laure,
Thank God, our happiness is complete.
Although we live on a remote island,
You’ll always dwell in our heart,
Our gorgeous sister-in-law
**
The Wedding of Elias and Nicole Baini
-1-
O Elias..! Here I come to tell you what happened
You father fell in love with a beautiful girl
As he honoured us in Sydney
Your mother’s face flickered with love
I couldn’t describe the manifested
I abso-bloody-lutely know how the lovers’ talk
Their wedding was blessed by the virtue of God
Your beloved father loved by us all
In alienation he helped everyone he knew
And your mother with her magic brush
If it wasn’t for her beauty you would never begotten
-2-
You are a Baini, you live in our heart
Your reputation was knead in heaven’s kneading
I’ve named you the son of glory and faith
You embraced love and you hugged loyalty
Your grandfather "Bakhos" was a hero who honoured the name of Lebanon
And your grandfather "Malak" is the king and you’re his kingdom.
-3-
You’ve chosen the most beautiful girl in the land
Her father sacrificed so much for this special day
And with love, her mother has charmed the entire world
And with tenderness, she softened the hardest of rocks.
Nicole Simic, with a ringtone to her name
Her hand has beautified the wedding ring
My congratulations to parents and to you all
And to the most beautiful newly weds
Who embellished this wedding
I want to remind you my dear Elias of your motherland
And the shrine of St Elias in Mejdlaya
To whom I would entrust you and Nicole.
****************
Tears
****************
The flower of my life
Dedicated to the soul of my beloved father Sarkis Baini 1915 – 1982
-1-
O my dear father, I love so
I find it hard to say: good-bye,
To show the world my suffering,
Will certainly be the ultimate blow.
-2-
The painful sorrow of you departure,
Is flowing on our mother’s cheeks,
And also shows on our brothers’ faces.
Our uncles, aunts and all loved ones
Locked their doors and came from far
To farewell you and to say: good-bye!
O dear father, flower of my life.
-3-
Convey my love to my grandmother
And embrace my grandfather for me,
A special hello to your beloved brother,
"Bakhos" the brave, protector of our quarter,
He fed the hungry and gave the thirsty, water.
-4-
We are grateful to those who came to share,
With us, the bitterness of this imminent cup,
In the town’s church, where you once prayed
The candles are lit with abundant love,
You became the cup and the mass.
-5-
O dear father, how treacherous is the time!
It deceived me and stole you from me,
Despite your untimely departure,
I still believe in Almighty God,
I only wish, my darling father,
You stayed longer in our paradise.
-6-
O father, your departure is not fair
It seems that you’ve forgotten
That our homeland is burnt down,
And that we are here alienated
Please, don’t burn our hearts again.
Our consolation is that we know,
You are pious and you are a saint
God’s lap is your final resting place.
**
Aunty Rahil Baini
To the soul of my beloved aunty Rahil Baini
O my aunty and godmother, we lost
Our motherly cosy fort that was once our shelter.
It's difficult to have mothers like you,
Haughty as a great Cedar tree,
We nurtured and matured in your shade.
Rahil, your name embellished the words,
It's revealed in the Bible,
And we are grateful for all your grace.
When your daughter Mary departed
Your tears dried out, as well as ours
And you faced affliction and your anguish became ours.
For Clark your beloved inspirational son,
You shed many tears and we shared your sorrow
O Aunty, you’re the last grape of the cluster,
The cluster that shattered on our threshing floor
From Boulos to Bacchus with his distinguished moles,
And Georgette with Karma who passed in alienation,
And Peter, your remarkable brother
We waited so long, for his shining laughter.
And Tony Yammouni and his magic melody,
We stayed up for hours listening to his guitar.
And now with your sorrowful death,
The stars have lost their shine
And we became orphans in this world
To my dad and mom, I send my love,
And cheers to my youngest brother Marcel,
Tell them all our stature is curved,
And grieves have caused us to age.
O aunty, you are an optimal aunt, the best of them all,
I envy the tomb that embodied you,
We pleaded for tears from the distant clouds,
And if you ask your people, they’d say:
Onyour departure we shed the last of our tears.
**
Tony Yammouni
To the soul of my beloved cousin Antoine George Yammouni
1
Why is there so much pain upon us?
And why are there tears nested in our eyes?
Departed are those who were our elite
Many loved names have been wiped from this world
Marie departed and Clark her brother as well
While the voice of Marcel still echoes
And today, we lost Tony the beloved only son
Who once encircled us with happiness
Our woes would have increased and tipped the scale
If it wasn't for the tenderness of God
Surely, we would have all gone mad.
Where are you Carmen to embrace the loved one
Your son, your only endeared son
On his way to meet you, you can tell the mighty God
Bou Elias in our heart you will dwell evermore.
2
Your guitar is silenced and its strings torn apart
And your melodies will awfully miss you
Discourses fell in love with your words
And birds soared to the seventh heaven.
Elias, your only son will embrace his sisters
Whose heads are bowed to the ground
And Lena, the happy loving mother
Is now stricken by an unknown influx of pain
And the tears of overwhelmingly envy
The burning tears in your sisters' eyes
Today, I swear by your valued life
Your picture will be etched in our heart,
For the rest of our lives and for eternity
**
Clark Baini
To my beloved cousin Clark George Baini
O grief... O tears... O wailing
Your death is a cross,
How can I carry it?
Rahil whose laughter was as big as the world
The laughter died
And the tears became deep red.
Clark, your sister before you
Hunched your mum’s back
Death was so mean
To take away her children,
While in life, her sun is reaching the dusk.
Today all of us are shocked
By your early passing.
Rosanna! Today I don’t know what happened to me,
Our unique beloved has gone
He whose mind was valued
More than the world's wealth
He who immortalized me with books -
The literature has died
Clark, your age cannot be measured by time,
But by an admirable family you raised
With love and good deeds
I never met anyone like you
In this whole world
A tender-loving father
And an exemplary man
Together, we grew up!
Remember our early childhood?
We shared every laugh,
Every flaw,
And every meal.
Mejdlaya your town is shrouded in grief,
Above it, the White Mountain is at half-mast.
Mary, the Virgin attested to your heritage
And your decency
She grieved for her care-free neighbour
And no matter how far you travel and roam,
To the Virgin you’ll always be a good friend at home
Like a saint, you lived
And raised a righteous family
Temper their torment a little
In this difficult time.
It doesn’t matter if the body perishes,
Your good repute will always live on.
Your picture is engraved in my heart
To keep you close to me forever and ever.
**
My beloved brother Marcel
To the soul of my beloved brother Marcel Sarkis Baini (Charbel’s father)
Beloved brother...What an agony!
1
When our heart weeps
Our brains stop, laughter is switched off
We become painfully strayed
Pain renders us speechless.
2
When night after night
We feel the savage knives
Cut through our heart
We call on the Lord
No one answers
The agonizing words
Freeze on our lips.
3
My brother is in a different world
Like an extinguished church candle
It burns deep into my heart
How can I drink this bitter cup?
4
I couldn’t believe you’d do this to us
You were always loving, truthful and generous
Your tenderness was overwhelming
Why then, you caused us all this pain?
5
Why tell me why, the surprise?
You were like the moon waning quietly
And your unduly farewell
Caused your loved ones lots of grieve.
6
And laure, whose madness reached heaven
Eyes burning, eyes erupted like a volcano
A weeping tree inside your home
Her branches are totally broken.
7
Charbel your son, who carries my name
He kneeled and kissed your feet
Thus making even the breeze weep
The burning flame in his heart
His kiss became an eternal seal.
8
And Joseph your son and neighbour
With a bowed head and a curbed back
When he passes by, I see you in him
We share together a neighbourly cry.
9
Natalie and Claire, your two girls
I wish you could see them now
They are two eyes wiping one another
When shouting your name, I fear for them
The shout has inflamed both their hearts.
10
Your brothers could not bear the shock
You were the youngest and they are sore
They implore the Virgin to look upon them
Their spoken words have turned to stones.
11
My dear brother and Charbel’s father
Your departure is a painful cry
To all your relatives and friends
For you they came from near and far
Lebanon grieved and Mejdlaya wept you.
12
A son and a brother-in-law
To beloved Rechdibbine El Koura
Your picture is proudly engraved
And framed in eternal pledges.
Within the heart of one and all.
13
Now, how am I going to pass my time?
And how can I ever forget you/
While you were my world
I pray unceasingly to all the saints
And you passed, I got angry with God.
14
God only knows why all this anger
Your passing is hard for any human
You and I were like identical twins
For God’s sake, keep this picture alive.
15
Tell me how to bid you farewell
You always sweetened my bitterness
I’ll close my eyes watching your smile
And every time I think of you, I shall pray.
**
My aunt Sayde
Dedicated to the soul of my aunt Sayde Baini
A long life God blessed you with
so that we can all have time to love you,
Our love aged in your heart.
O Sayde, my beloved aunt!
Back home, Bakhos your hero still awaits,
in Lebanon his name is a legend,
and you never left his sight.
Your sons and your daughters
enlighten your humble house,
with purity you have raised them,
protecting all the family’s values
boldness and piety reside within your walls,
our God in heaven attests to my words.
2
Dear aunt, times are treacherous,
Robbing the loved ones of your family
Yolla, before farewelling her children, cried:
“O father, the walls of our home crumbled”
She faded away like a shadow;
we still mourn her passing now,
And Bakhos my uncle the hero
martyred to protect our mighty Cedars.
and Joseph your son-in-law,
stolen from amongst his loved ones
like a dream, no one could figure out how.
And Carlos, your endeared grandchild
with his echoing laughter,
he lived briefly like a rose
and died early in his spring.
Marcel my brother, what an agony!
it filled my heart with burning flames
up there you will be comforted
by loved ones who were once here
and now a tolling memory.
We lived with them in harmony,
you loved us dearly child and man.
Dear aunt, your love was our asset.
with every morning sun.
We pray God to rest your soul.
I cannot say, you have passed away
You are a mother pure at heart
I refuse to accept a mother’s death
but I will certainly say:
you went to heaven for a stroll.
**
My maternal uncles
1
I never knew my uncle Joseph
I might have seen him in my dream,
Swimming in the treacherous waves;
That extinguished the candle of his life,
And swallowed his beaming smile;
Leaving but a prayer booklet and a towel
2
The windows of his house in Barsa,
Have always told me his story,
He died young and a bachelor,
Barsa, his town still awaits;
To celebrate his wedding day,
And remember his radiant smile,
That filled the air with magic;
In his absence silence reigned.
3
My learned uncle Lawrence,
His name in Lebanon is revered,
I was honoured when they said:
You surely take after him.
He excelled in history and poetry,
Exactly like his father George was;
An excellent thinker and linguist,
Lawrence was brought up at his hands.
My uncle, my grandfather and faith,
They form a holy three,
I inherited their mannerism,
Their abode is in Paradise.
I sadly missed my dear uncles,
My life resembles a glass that slipped,
Through the fingers of oblivion;
I walk daily upon its fragments.
**
My grandfathers
Dedicated to the soul of my maternal grandfather Girgis Abboud Maroun, whom I only knew through his ecclesiastical publications, and to the soul of my paternal grandfather Tansa Youssef Al Khoury Baini, who served the church of Our Lady in Mejdlaya; for his entire life.
1
People unceasingly tell me,
Pour your poetry generously,
To flow freely verse by verse,
For your talent is the legacy,
Of Girgis Abboud, your grandfather;
Whose improvised fluent verses,
Glitter overwhelmingly.
I will lay at your grave,
Some roses and say to you:
You went before I was born,
But you are always on my mind.
Stay with me, my dear grandfather,
2
My grandfather Tansa with his fez,
The chieftain of our town,
His generosity touched everyone,
And he valued his love for us.
He was so brave at heart,
We all inherited his manhood,
His roots which grew in the church;
Rightfully reached seventh heaven.
3
My grandfathers, Girgis and Tansa.
Departed, but they are still in my eyes,
Their remains; the icons of my country,
Are buried under our immortal Cedars.
They both served the Almighty Lord,
Praying was their riches and provision,
O Virgin Mary, abide in their heart.
**
Boutros the magnificent
Dedicated to soul of my uncle Boutros Youssef Al Khoury Al Baini, the magnificent, who donated towards the publication of my first book “Adolescence” year 1968.
1
O my generous uncle, Boutros,
Your caring spirit protects me.
Ever since I was a little boy,
My grandfather taught me,
To honour and praise your name.
2
You were my grandfather’s brother,
You were my gentle, delightful kin,
And were always like our cedars,
Generously distributing your shade;
And when your relatives were at ease,
They gathered under your branches.
3
During an evening of revelation,
The poetry knocked at my door,
I gathered the chosen poems,
You helped me with an open hand;
When I published my first book.
4
I am grateful, my dear uncle,
And as long as I live,
Your name will be my beacon.
You are a Baini, well revered,
I still cannot bear your departure.
**
Bakos, the hero
1
They say: The hero is asleep,
But his eyes are half-closed,
His banner is ever-fluttering,
And I wear his name on my lips.
2
O Bakos Baini, my dear uncle,
You are always in my eyes,
I will plant a garden for you,
A weeping willow at the entrance.
3
Courage, was your middle name,
A lesson that we learned, by heart,
When you told your mother:
“Have no fear, I am here”.
4
You were only fifty nine,
When you said your farewell,
Your kind parents Tansy and Chris,
Have bitterly wept your departure.
5
Heroes like you, my dear uncle,
Shed their blood for our cedars,
Your name is our daily song,
And your memory is vivid in our hearts.
6
I missed that distinctive spot,
Which made your cheek unique.
You were like a father to me,
I will never forget your warmth.
**
My maternal aunts
1
My aunty Clara,
Indiscriminate love
Was her motto.
Her smile glittered
Like the stars
And like the candles
In the church
2
The amazing tenderness
Of my aunt Hannah
Has no boundary.
She always presents like a flower,
And with pride, I utter her name
3
My aunt Therese,
An abundant fountain
That flows with warmth
And with compassion.
She is like a book of prayer,
With letters more precious than diamonds
4
I missed my beloved mother,
Who alleviated all my worries,
She knitted me an attire of love.
And with a constant sign of the cross.
She kept me, blessed and protected.
5
They went beyond the pearly gates,
But in my heart, they will always be,
The flowers with an eternal bloom.
I refuse to let my life
Be like an empty glass,
Void of my loved ones.
**
Yolla
Dedicated to the soul of my cousin Yolla Bakos Baini…July 1983
-1-
For you, I pour my poetry in tears,
Beloved mother of seven kids,
My dear and proud cousin.
Like father, you cherished the cedars,
And the mountains of our motherland.
What happened, what changed you?
Your uncharacteristic departure,
Caused your dear children to grieve,
They call for you to stay by them.
Your beloved Charbel carries your icon,
And desperately follows your shadow,
Your brothers, sisters and your family,
Weep your person with a deep sorrow,
In Sydney and in Melbourne,
They wove a shawl of sighs,
Which cut like the sharp swords.
This pain broke your mother’s back,
And madness overcame her mind.
2
You, the youngest of your sisters,
Don’t you know what your passing did?
Don’t you know, you still have little ones?
Who are still suckling from your youth?
Don’t you know, your house is near empty?
Your departure extinguished our candles.
The Issas are shedding a flood of tears.
And your town laments at your door.
My dear cousin, tell me what happened?
We, abroad, our hearts are burning,
Why did you orphan the poetry?
When the best belongs in your book.
Sister, why does this have to happen?
My dream was to see you again,
Now, to only kiss the grave, is unfair.
3
Bakos, my dear uncle, interred in glory,
Yolla’s heart has long yearned for you.
When you meet, crown her with lights,
Your death has left her heart crushed.
Introduce her to little Carlos, her nephew,
Tell my father to receive her with hugs,
For, she was the sister I never had,
Her absence is unbearable to all of us.
**
My grandmother Martha Maroun
Dedicated to the soul of my grandmother Martha Maroun
1
O my grandma I long wanted,
To let you know,
How much I really love you,
In my eyes, you’re a treasure,
Your love flows in my veins.
Even in my expatriation,
You’re always on my mind,
After your sorrowful passing,
We still gather in your name.
To us, you will always be revered,
Like the cedars of Lebanon.
You are my love song,
Your name flourished on my lips,
2
I still remember those days,
And your glowing appearance,
I see you in my dreams,
A saint from the town of Barsa.
Every night I go to sleep,
With you, as my prayer-book.
O grandma, years have lapsed,
And you’re still living in my heart.
Using my eyes as the paint,
A divine painter painted you,
A mural on heaven’s wall.
**
Battoura
Dedicated to the soul of my beloved uncle Peter Tansi Baini
1
My grandma called him “Battoura”,
The youngest of her family,
As he migrated, she was saddened.
She hid his picture, Close to her heart.
2
Uncle Peter, a perfect gentleman,
Impeccable appearance and stature,
All expatriates attest to this fact,
With open heart and open arms,
He was welcomed everywhere,
His name was the beacon,
On our Lebanon’s ensign.
3
Melbourne was his home,
For numerous years,
Where he begot three gifted boys,
Named Romeo, Joe and Tony.
He could never have believed,
His time would come so soon,
Without saying “Good bye”,
To his beloved homeland.
4
He yearned evermore,
To revisit motherland,
To embellish his own town,
And make his forefathers proud.
Pity! Death has claimed his life,
And our Cedars wept his passing.
5
O dear uncle, I should not weep,
While you’re still by our side,
Living, with your voice constantly heard.
Forgive me, if you see my burning tears,
For we all bitterly morn,
Your early departure.
**
My aunt Madeleine
Dedicated to the soul of my aunt Madeleine Chaanine
1
I was still a boy at school,
I always called on aunt Madeleine,
Who lived in Abou Samra, Tripoli,
I prayed for God to protect her,
And her image never left my heart.
2
She always welcomed me saying:
You must be hungry, my dear!
Step inside, eat and drink merrily,
You are my darling nephew,
And I do love you very much,
With tenderness and a big heart,
And a smile which shines like the sun.
3
I migrated and always dreamed
To one day, fulfil my promise,
Delivering the pledges I made,
To burn incense in Richdebbine,
And pray for my dear aunt Madeleine.
The lady who taught me to love,
My love for her is my riches.
4
Today, I will not shed my tears,
You taught me how to be joyful,
And how to always wear a smile,
You were my exemplary aunt.
You have attained your ultimate goal,
Enjoying your loving parents company,
And residing with them in paradise.
Here, we are abroad expatriated,
And we’ll miss you as long as we live.
**
My aunt Karma
Dedicated to the soul of my aunt Karma Yammouni
1
Aunt Karma, the epitome of generosity,
Her heart is always open to loved ones,
She is the symbol of love and devotion
Those who knew her succumbed to her passion.
Her God-given daughters and only son,
The living asset of this hospitable land,
Today, they kneel before the Almighty God
Imploring Him to rest their mother’s soul,
The mother, who with her own hands,
Raised the bars of her alienation
And on the alter in her own house,
She lit-up candles for all the saints.
Today, our Cedars shed their tears,
To morn Lebanon’s beloved daughter.
2
Karma, my tender-loving aunt,
No grave can ever steal her from us,
Her image is still vivid in our hearts,
Despite her passing, her smile is still here.
Her likes will never pass this way again,
She earned her way and built her home.
When she migrated, I was still a boy,
Our homeland misses her dearly.
3
Why the crying? It will do no good
You were our joy, whenever we talked,
And if Melbourne ever complains,
It’s because, it misses you, aunty!
And Mejdlaya, seems lost and perplexed
Unable to steady and comprehend
The demise of its graceful daughter
Who, with her sorrowful passing
The kingdom of generosity collapsed.
**
My cousin Joseph Yammouni
The departure of handsome Joseph is unwarranted,
He adorned the years with his good deeds
His passing, like a sword, inflicting wounds,
To the family, that is envied by all
Generous Joseph, with his abundant passion,
And an affection like a river of love
He sadly passed to a world beyond.
In the darkness of his repatriation,
If his beaming smile could ever talk,
It would've told the story of an earthly moon
That lit-up the tallest towers,
Which he has built with prayers and patience,
His wife Christine, my beloved cousin
With a bleeding heart and eyes dimmed with tears
He stood by her side, and he never let her weep
Joseph Yammouni, her husband and soul mate
His soul has dwelled in Jesus’ paradise
O son of Barsa, who’s loved by all
You will always live within our hearts.
**
My beloved mother, Patronella Baini
The choking agony, oh, my dear mother,
Shredded my body and dried my blood.
Your death filled me with sufferance,
My grievance is overwhelming.
Your absence tormented my heart,
And the smile froze on my lips.
I once left my homeland,
And now, in turn, you left me.
Your embrace was my haven.
Then I was left with a dream,
I dream of your tender hugs.
Your death, oh, my beloved mother,
Is stronger than the thunder claps,
It burnt my entrails and my mind.
I could easily ask you why,
But, it will be to no avail.
Let me be the forgotten page,
That is torn from an Oriental book.
I wake up, eyes dimmed with tears
I sleep. your head leaning on me,
My blood is drying in my veins.
What can I say, what can I tell you,
And you’re the light of my eyes.
Wherever you are or may be,
You will never leave my heart.
You were the inspiration of my poetry,
That shook the corners of the world.
You were the artist, who painted my art,
Your absence ruptured my arteries,
It made me age and made me stray,
During my teasing and crazy expatriation.
Patronella and cedar are two big names,
Patronella, value and esteem knelt at your feet.
And the whole world attested for you.
You were a mother…like no other,
You wore saintliness as your jewel.
Your eyes were the vigilant guardians,
You jealously protected your family,
And guided them to God’s path.
**
My grandmother Christine Hitti Baini
Oh, my beloved grandma,
Pray for us from up above.
I cry with abundant tears,
That can almost fill the seas.
We heard the voice of Jesus,
Calling your name, Christine!
We knew that you’re heaven’s gain,
And that only heaven is the winner.
Lord Jesus who loved you so,
Altered the order of creation,
You became the shining sun,
That cast upon us, the holy rays.
You have shone upon this earth,
The glorious span of your age,
Then you set, forsaking this world,
Before we fully enjoyed your warmth.
Your ashes were a gift to Reshdibbine,
The town of your Madeleine Chaanine
We now call on the people of Mejdlaya,
To regain what is rightfully theirs,
And replant their gardenia at home.
We live abroad, we miss our homes,
For as long as we stay upon this land,
And no matter how much time lapses,
We’ve taken a sacred oath,
To keep you for an eternity,
An icon, deep in our hearts.
**
Our son-in-law Jimmy Goldberg
Oh, our dearly beloved Jim…What can I say?
You know that you reside in our hearts.
That little girl you held in your hands,
You loved her dearly with your eyes.
Her love for you has possessed her heart.
Melanie, my niece, who loves you madly,
Like your mother, she sheds burning tears,
Like your father, her heart is full with sorrow,
And like your sisters, she has a heavy heart.
Why is this painful farewell, to your families?
And still a bridegroom, with gleaming laughter.
Audrey, your daughter, who is barely a month,
Is crying and saying: good bye my dad!
And yet, she is still too young to talk.
All the Bainis and all their families.
Shall not forget you, as long as they live.
You are the gain, to the blissful paradise,
And the winged angels rushed to welcome you.
A word with you, my darling niece,
A little word that comes to mind..
Jimmy gave you dear Audrey, a gift,
As company, for as long as you shall live,
And every time you call her name, will say:
I’m still living here, amongst my families.
**
Eva
To the soul of my cousin Eva Yammouni
Ever since I was a child
I loved Eva’s voice,
She used to sing for me
A famous lovely song
And her giggling laughs
Made the trees flower
I felt at that time,
Like a bird, I wanted to fly.
To me, she was a sister,
While I had no sisters
Then on one of those days,
Shrouded with unconsciousness
I shut my eyes and went to sleep
And when I woke up
I shouted: Where’s Eva?
Where’s she who made the days,
That filled my heart with joy?
She has gone away…
To a land beyond the sea
I felt dizzy and dazed
And I began to sob
When during a night of sighs
She farewelled our skies
Years have since gone by
Then I saw Eva the mother
Around her little children,
As beautiful as the flowers
And Jarjoura her loyal spouse
Whom through his patriotic veins
Flows the purest of noble blood
that delights Lebanon’s mount
And Eva, a mountain of compassion
Exuded an overwhelming love
She said: Oh Charbel my cousin!
I was hungry and she fed me
I began to reminisce and remember
That young girl with rosy cheeks
And a sugar-sweet laughter
Still the same, she hasn’t changed
Thus adding an honour and glory
To this hospitable land
To her towns Barsa and Richdebbine
And to the cedars of Lebanon
All walks of life upon this land
Have wept and felt sorry
For our Eva, the mother saint,
Who knelt in the church
Eva, who during the month of lent,
Prayed God and implored
And the lord answered her prayers
And said: You my daughter
Will forever be by my side.
**
Uncle Boulos
To the pure soul of my uncle Boulos Beayni
-1-
Bou Elias! My uncle, we lost you
You’re a fountain of love and compassion
What a great loss …
Oh Boulos Beayni, my heart is aching
My tears are scarce, although it’s plentiful.
Your passing added a great deal to my qualms.
You’re my last uncle to depart in alienation
Greet my father, and tell my mum,
We’re orphaned now.
The great father for us all, has departed,
And the cedar trees on the mount of Lebanon,
Shed plentiful of tears.
-2-
They said: you lived and aged, and why do we cry?
Yet, in our eyes,
You’re the guard of the guards.
Bou Elias ninety they said!
It is so little, by all almighty God!
Ninety for your loving heart,
Truly, it is not good enough
My cousins are bowing their heads in grief
And the Beayni family is shrouded with sorrow
Loved by all everywhere, young and old
They all swear by your name.
You’re like an ever-lit candle in a Mass
Like an icon that needed no incense
Like a lit lantern in the Abbey of Mar Elias
ADRA, Your neighbouring church, longs for lightings
Today, in Mejdlaya, they tolled the church bell
And sorrows engulfed every soul, everywhere.
-3-
How could I say good-bye?
To an uncle that should never die.
You were the beacon that lit our lives,
And the voice that guided us.
For ever, your love will linger in our hearts.
As we’ve lost you,
We certainly envy the coffin that embraced you.
We shall remember you everyday
And every time we hear your name.
For you, dear uncle, we shall all pray.
**
Jargoura
To the soul of the late George Hanna Yammouni
In what rhyme shall I say goodbye?
In what terms would you prefer
To be eulogised?
I will not allow any poet
To harm you in verse
You are an angel manifested amongst human beings,
God is calling you
And In Barsa, He testified a thousand congregation,
And appealed for mankind to canonise you.
The ropes of distance between us,
Will wrap round my ribs very tight…
Do not say Charbel Baini is unvoiced,
The voice and the cries are the tears that I shed every day
Your hands have matured a beautiful garden,
With Cousin Eva’s vast contribution
Youths and a young lass, the best in the world
Added beauty to this hospitable land
You worried so much about the land of your birth,
And with care you enclosed it with your tender love
When the land of your birth is faced with danger
Our army will defend the homes of your kind
And with care they’ll protect this very land,
That is burnt with hate and divisions,
That you paid with your heart for her freedom.
I’ve gathered bunches of flowers from everywhere
To weave wreaths to brighten the darkness of the grave
And transform its soil to golden dust
To Glow like your face
The eyes and face of a hero,
And with the silent footsteps of Jarjoura
And With all my abundant tears,
I shall wash the sadness and sorrows
Of Barsa, your beloved town
That is in the state of Koura
**
Georgette
Dedicated to the soul of my aunt Georgette Baini
Oh my beloved auntie, what can I say?
You have never left our hearts
Despite your painful departure,
Your brothers; Sarkis, Bakos,
Boulos and Botros,
who are in heaven,
Rushed jubilantly to receive you
Christine your mother, the family shepherd
Has sent your father to welcome you
Your sister Madeleine, planted her floral love
And the loving Carmen, who worship you
Husband Peter, your constant companion,
Is planning to smother you with love
You’re the purest of love and tenderness.
Our hearts weep for your absence,
We, your loved ones in Melbourne and Sydney
An aunty, is always considered a mother
We were always welcome in
your home, and in your heart.
José, who took over to care for you,
Is now preparing your farewell clothes.
An aunty, who always gathers her family,
The family who shed their tears for you.
The Baini’s blood is the most honest,
The very blood which coloured your dust
Oh my dear auntie Georgette..
We still have Rahil, an aunt whom we adore
Please ask our merciful Maker,
To prolong her life a bit more
Her heart still aches for Marie, her daughter
And today, your death inflamed her eyes
Enough sorrow, by this coming holy season,
Especially the birth of Jesus our Lord..
**
Lee
To the angel Lee J Chaanin
You’ve aged as well as the rose’s age,
And attained the age of the saints
Barsa bejewelled you with loads of flowers,
And at your absence, the birds shed their tears
In the fields of Richdibbine
You were a youth with matured mind,
And the mirth that bent many years.
At heart, your mother is ablaze,
And her eyesight abruptly grew dim.
To your father, you were the light,
His anguish has become awfully unbearable,
To weep and fill many urns
The tear, like a carving knife would befall,
Carried by a treacherous sorrow,
To fend off wretched men
Young and old, we will not wail or cry,
For all of us, you will always be
The loved one who could never die
**
Marie
To the soul of my beloved cousin Marie Baini
Do not be saddened if an angel left this world
For angels of heaven always return
A true believer will never perish,
Her soul will always glitter in the sky.
I came from far and my eyes welled in tears
To say goodbye to my beloved cousin,
Who touched a chord in my broken heart.
She is a flower, if the flowers can talk…
They are created to adorn her wedding.
This can’t be my sister’s wedding day…
Which we long waited for
Her wedding is turned into grievance.
Marie Baini who dazzled all minds…
Jesus dreamed of her arrival in heaven.
Her mother named her after the Virgin Mary
And today, Rahil weeps her bridal girl,
Mary the Virgin appeared, shedding tears
And leaning forward to kiss Marie’s forehead
My cousin who proudly carried Mary’s name,
Even the cedars of Lebanon wept for her,
And Mejdlaya’s church, where she worshiped,
Took a bow and tolled its bells.
Like a brother and sister, we lived many years,
And now, I’m deprived of my sister’s voice
No matter how many years will lapse
Marie’s impeccable repute will surely live on
For her eyes only, families will pray.
She was loved and was everyone’s favourite,
And she was welcomed in everyone’s heart
She packed her bag and went to her father,
To eternally reside in Jesus’ kingdom.
After your departure, you little bride,
A change descended upon our families
Your tomb will always be a shrine
For relatives and friends who fill the world
And our paths will lead to the same resting place.
**
Abu Sarkis
To the soul of my brother Antoine Sarkis Baaini
-1-
The doctors forbade us to approach you.
But despite them, I kissed your feet.
When they told me that you had died, by God,
I froze and swooned.
How does the mountain die on a bed?
How does the sun go out in your eyes?
-2-
I have no tears left, my brother.
Tears have dried up in my eyes.
Your death, Abu Sarkis, made me hate life
That is mocking me.
Marcel departed and Michel followed
So, they may keep my father’s company.
And my mother, who raised us, with so much compassion,
Her family gathered in heavenly paradise.
Three of us remained and everything is fleeting.
George, Joseph and Charbel, pity,
I am tired, Lord, do not forget me.
I am overwhelmed with sadness.
I can't even go on living.
-3-
Therese is crying with burning tears.
She embraces the family with a motherly tenderness.
Sarkis lost his father and is broken,
The only son whose flower has fragrance.
Antoine, oh Antoine, what should I tell him?
It is difficult for an uncle to exhibit a father’s tenderness.
Pat carried a name that we all honour “Patronela”,
Around whom we gather.
Carole's wound is sheer pain.
That pain would have complained if it could only talk.
You begot a family to raise its flag high.
Get up and see her overwhelmed with worry.
After you have given her a whole life.
And people have become indicative of your offspring, too her,
Your passing seems like poison.
-4-
Oh, our eldest, abandonment has become abhorrent.
Mejdlaya and Beirut were tormented.
You treasured your country within your heart
And decorated it with glory and rubies.
My brother, I am going crazy with confusion.
How could the one whose hand build homes,
People, neighbours swore his name,
In a brief moment, ends up in a coffin!
O angels of heaven, fly.
Tell my brother who has drowned in silence.
Whoever lives inside the heart will never die.
**
