Faleeha Hassan is a poet, teacher, editor, writer born in Najaf, Iraq, in 1967, who now lives in the United States. She was the first female poet for children in Iraq, and the leading poet of the feminist movement in the holy city of Najaf.
She holds a master’s degree in Arabic literature, and has published sixteen collections of poetry in Arabic. She has translated many of her poems into various languages and has received awards from the linguists and translators Arab Society (AWB), and the Festival of Creativity Najafi.
Faces of Love
Do not carry me in your hand
Like a small bird wet with raindrops
Love is a traumatic experience
But I want to live it
To keep my windows overlooking the lake of the pink dolphins
When the evening comes
They will start dancing for me
And clouds will bunch across the ceiling of my kitchen
Love is a mysterious experience
I would like to sing to your photo
Which I keep under my pillow
But my voice is not suited for singing
Even my bed sheets are still laughing
Whenever I wash the dishes
And I think of you
The lather dances between my hands
Yes, love is dangerous experience
But I will live it
Because I’m afraid of continuing my life
With the furniture trembling
From the intensity of loneliness.