tarek chemaly
three books
2009
\_Front page
\_Strata
read
\_getting the news
  from poems
\_Archewallogy
\_Jnune 7 – 2009
\_earlier writings
(2002/2003)
(| EN | FR |)
o-----////()/---[getting the news from poems]------(| Tarek Chemaly · 2009 |)------¬ contents
Exodus 2003

Naked for all to be

Look at my naked features, I am almost a primate,
Still very hairy, as if evolution caught up with me late,
If you have doubts, then I will leave you to debate,
But this is my body, and it is my right to celebrate.

How can you pass a judgement on me?
Without ever having been naturally in the sea,
Without having had a gentle wind on your skin,
Without having been yourself not feeling any sin.

Without feeling at one with the elements of nature,
Without the rays of the sun being able to capture,
Without feeling the moment in total rapture,
Without having traveled yet not having a departure.

Without feeling the lassitude of a convict,
Without feeling equal to other human creatures,
Without having to label them by their features,
Without having to suffer any judgement or verdict.

I will still leave you to your preconceived notions,
As I put on my protective sunscreen lotions,
As I take off my clothes and jump into the sea,
Enjoying the water naked... as I should be.
37

Tarek Chemaly, “Naked for all to be”, getting the news from poems (2009), p. 37.

Tarek Chemaly’s three books of 2009, published on 111101 with the author’s permission. getting the news from poems: layout Mike Awad. Archewallogy: design Farah Samman, cover Ashekman. Jnune 7 – 2009: with Rami El Khoury, Upstairs Publishing; photographs as credited on each page.