May Elias Ziadeh (1886–1941) was a significant figure in the Nahda movement and a pioneering advocate of Oriental feminism in early 20th-century Middle Eastern literature. A Lebanese-Palestinian poet, essayist, and translator, she wrote in both Arabic and French. 

She started publishing her works in French under the pen name Isis Copia in 1911, and in 1912, she began corresponding with Kahlil Gibran. In 1921, she hosted one of the most renowned literary salons in the modern Arab world. 

As I mentioned earlier about the poems I have received from my readers, I am sharing a poem today by May Ziadeh, “Goodbye, Lebanon” -

“Goodbye, Lebanese mountains.

I’m going far
from your pink rose garlands,
your bright red satin strawberries.

Egypt called in a serious voice,
and already my boat’s rocking
bears new fruit—

But sea, whisper your lullabies
please, because I hurt so much.
Soft waves of home, sob for me.

Don’t go away so quickly, my love.
Leaving you, my chest is all wound,
wholly tender.”