Nonfiction by Marilyn Hacker

“I Write in French to Tell the French I Am Not French”: Algerian Francophone Poetry

Algerian Francophone poetry was largely outside, and in contrast to, the post-World War II movement in French poetry of disengagement from political causes.

Poetry by Djamal Amrani

From “The Night Inside”

The slumber at the edge/ of my well of fever

Translated from French by Marilyn Hacker

Poetry by Djamal Amrani

Beneath a Pile of Rubble

Because death is stronger than hunger

Translated from French by Marilyn Hacker

Poetry by Samira Negrouche

Minus One

I would like/ in a faraway language/ to tell you what I don’t/ understand

Translated from French by Marilyn Hacker

Poetry by Samira Negrouche

In the Shadow of Grenada

She tells me not to be/ a holy land/ or a mine of tenderness

Translated from French by Marilyn Hacker

Poetry by Habib Tengour

Celebration of the Absent One

The father’s house is a living language/ Open to guests passing through

Translated from French by Marilyn Hacker

Poetry by Habib Tengour

The Tartar from the Kremlin

This particular Tartar is unbeatable at cards/ Except for whist (not a game for Tartars)

Translated from French by Marilyn Hacker