The Luzumiyat of Abu’l-Ala, LIV

translated from the Arabic by Ameen Rihani

Sooth I have told the masters of the mart
Of rusty creeds and Babylonian art
      Of magic. Now the truth about myself—
Here is the secret of my wincing heart.

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.