The Luzumiyat of Abu’l-Ala, CII

translated from the Arabic by Ameen Rihani

My life’s the road on which I blindly speed:
My goal’s the grave on which I plant a reed
       To shape my Hope, but soon the Hand unseen
Will strike, and lo! I’m but a sapless weed.

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.