Beneath The Salvias
Beneath the salvias, where some angel slew
The favors that were granted by his god,
My heart is hidden ; let thy feet be shod
With feathers plucked from my wings of crim-
son hue.
When here again thou might’st be wandering
through ;
Look not above; I’m breathing in the sod,
A-mindless of the years, ’neath which I’m trod—
Of Spring birds’ song, or shrieks of Winter’s
crew.
Here let me sleep, my lady: wake me not ;
Here let me gather, hidden from the moon
And the sun, the strength to rise again and see ;
No sweeter, dearer, more enchanting spot
Is there for my sick heart ; O, not so soon—
Awake me not—O, let me dream of thee.
From Myrtle and Myrrh (The Gorham Press, 1905) by Ameen Rihani. This poem is in the public domain.
Ameen Rihani
Ameen Fares Rihani, who is regarded as a founder of Arab American literature and a major figure in the Mahjar movement, was born in Freike, Lebanon, then part of the Ottoman Empire, on November 24, 1876. Rihani was one of six children and the eldest son born to a Lebanese Christian (Maronite) silk manufacturer. Rihani moved to New York City with one of his brothers in 1888 and began to learn English. Three years later, Rihani became an American citizen.