The Luzumiyat of Abu’l-Ala, I

translated from the Arabic by Ameen Rihani

The sable wings of Night pursuing day
Across the opalescent hills, display
       The wondrous star-gems which the fiery suns
Are scattering upon their fiery way.

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.