Publisher's Synopsis
You and the Children in Beirut is a poetry book in Modern Standard Arabic. The book contains fifty-one poems. Most of the poems follow a specific meter and rhyme and are characterized by their penetrating musical effect in addition to their timely subject matter and the universal message that they convey. A master of prosody, George Nicolas El-Hage is famous for choosing short, musical meters that transport you into the realm of each poem and make you dance as you read his poems whether silently or in a loud voice. His poems have been described as "interactive" because they cause the reader to establish a dialogue with each poem due to their personalized message that enhances the reading experience. The last part of the book contains some prose poems that the author selected for inclusion in this volume. El-Hage's prose is as powerful, explosive and captivating as his poetry. The moving themes touch the reader's inner emotions and sensitivity. It is the cry of humanity, the passion for compassion, and the yearning for love in these poems that awaken in each of us a longing for universal brotherhood and unity. The revolt against war, the nostalgia for peace, and the compassion for children, the beloved and the homeland are the broader messages that reverberate throughout and permeate the poems that comprise this unique volume of Modern Arabic Poetry.
