Matar (1954-), 'Optimism'

(translated from the Arabic by Sivar Qazaz)

A knock on my door: a creature carrying the horrible shackles of slaves,
Infection in his mouth, obituaries in his hands, 
Malevolence in his eyes,

His head between his legs, his legs blood,
His arms festering,
He said: I have good news for you.
I said: Good?!
He said: Record:
Your sorrow will seem like a memory
Compared to the severe misery you will live in! 
If you rent,
You will no longer pay:
They will give you a house with iron rods!
Killing you, once uncertain, 
Now is for sure!
The power of faith in you will increase. 
You will survive the fire, 
Martyr, as if you never entered it!