The Luzumiyat of Abu’l-Ala, C

translated from the Arabic by Ameen Rihani

For me thy silks and feathers have no charm
The pillow I like best is my right arm;
       The comforts of this passing show I spurn,
For Poverty can do the soul no harm.

Credit

The Luzumiyat of Abu’l-Ala (James T. White & Co., 1920) by Abū al-‘Alā’ al-Ma‘arrī. Translated from the Arabic by Ameen Rihani. Copyright © 1920 by Ameen Rihani. This poem is in the public domain.