The Luzumiyat of Abu’l-Ala, IX

translated from the Arabic by Ameen Rihani

But whether of dust or fire or foam, the glaive
Of Allah cleaves the planet and the wave
       Of this mysterious Heaven-Sea of life,
And lo! we have the Cradle of the Grave.

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.