The Absenteeism

Short story Written  by : Mohammed mansur al-shaqha

Translation  by : khalid Mohammed al-shaqha

I do not know when my birth, where, and those who belong . recurrence of these passions when I stand behind the podium To say the poem That  wrote for the literary contest

Attendance has been prepared, in addition the number of parallel each one , To know how appointed to consider this moment in the lounge Beyond those that follow the competition through television screens .

I Apologized for his poem and I left the hall , applause sharp haunted me , over my car , I  Walked through the ways I know of in childhood until  I reached my House .

No one there  , everyone left me and leaves, extended  to my bed by clothes , dark  Surrounds me , got the poem from my pocket ,I Reedit aloud,  There are those who ask me to repeat some sections .

my colleagues in the office Asked my drink and fat breakfast , Because my  poem has won first place .

sat behind the desk and I took what  inside my pocket and I but it on the desk , cards , names , telephone numbers , clipping and laundry bills where my clothes always .

What had been lacking papers poem , I came out  from the office ran to the house and I Turn over the pillows and looked under it  and my books on the ground .

I remembered the club and literary concert, has not left the house votes taxis warnings and signals that the leaders of some cars shared the road .

The club closed the door, went to my car door opened sat behind the wheel, I ran the engine and took Cut papers found on the seat There is a poetic text in it , spread clippings on the sidewalk and street .

my car Led me  outside the city ,  felt thirst and hunger, stopped adjacent to the Cafe travelers defunct previous to the occupation of some Travelers Defeat them silent