“Be My Friend!” (كن صديقى) is a beautiful poem by the famous Kuwaiti poet, critic and writer Suad al-Sabah.  She was born in 1942 to the ruling family of Kuwait. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Cairo University in 1973, and a PhD also in economics from Sari Guilford University in the UK in 1981. In her poetry, she deals with concerns of Arab women and tries to challenge traditions and the traditional role of women in society. This poem is a good example of her poetry. It is an invitation for friendship extended from a woman to a man, an invitation for a man to know a woman as a person regardless of gender. This beautiful poem became a song by the famous sophisticated singer Majeda Al-Roumi. Following are some of the lines of the poem adapted to a song.

كم جميل لو بقينا أصدقاء
إن كل امراة تحتاج إلى كف صديق
كن صديقى

هواياتى صغيرة
واهتماماتى صغيرة
وطموحى أن أمشى ساعات معك
تحت المطر
عندما يسكننى الحزن
ويبكينى الوتر

فلماذا تهتم بشكلى
ولا تدرك عقلى
كن صديقى

 

How beautiful would it be if we remained friends

Every woman needs the hand of a friend

Be my friend

My hobbies are simple

And my interests are simple

And all I hope for is a walk with you

For hours, in the rain

When sadness dwells in me

And music brings tears to my eyes

So, why do you only care about my appearance

And not realize my mind

Be my friend!

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