Fatena Al-Gharra was born in and educated in Gaza. She has worked in women’s projects, as a radio presenter and as a correspondent for the Wafa news agency. Widely regarded as one of the most promising of the young generation of Palestinian poets, Faten has written three poetry collections: There is Still a Sea Between Us (Gaza, 2000), A Very Troublesome Woman (Cairo, 2003) and Except for Me (forthcoming).

Our translations of Faten’s poems can also be read on the excellent English PEN Online World Atlas.

This poem was translated by Anna Murison and PTC founder Sarah Maguire.