Is There a Third Text in Zeina Hashem Beck’s Duets? Translingual Poetics in O

This article traces Zeina Hashem Beck’s development of a new poetic form called the “duet.” Duets include equal parts written in two different languages, English and Arabic for the Lebanese poet whose recent collection, O, includes six such duets. The ideal bilingual reader brings sufficient context in both languages to the understanding of the dialogue between the two duet halves. This study argues, however, that access to the third text hidden in this dialogue is not exclusive to those equally familiar with the different represented languages. Close readings of “daily كل يوم” and “blue أزرق” identify the characteristics and variations of the new poetic form. Analysis of “prophecy نبوة” and “Ode to Babel نشيد الانتظار” centers around translingual poetics. Scrutiny of “Dear white critic, رفيقي في الرحيل,” and “Ode to Leaving غربة” highlights the impact of projected audiences on the duet development. Relying on a comparative analysis of these six examples, the article discusses the benefits of ever improving machine translation, the availability of native speaker consultations, as well as a growing polyglot imaginary as extensions of traditional tools conducive to poetry exegesis.