THE BATTLE OF KADESH

On one of the banks of River Orontes
Mutawallis stood among his soldiers
And stared without stirring.
On the opposite bank, the Pharaoh
Ramses had mounted his chariot:
He stared straight ahead.
This is all we know about it.
Even though history tells it at length
This look is all that remains or can remain.

Melih Cevdet Anday
Translated by Talat Sait Halman (Talisman, 1991(Spring 6))