The Luzumiyat of Abu’l-Ala, LVI

translated from the Arabic by Ameen Rihani

I laugh, but in my laughter-cup I pour
The tears of scorn and melancholy sore;
      I who am shattered by the hand of Doubt,
Like glass to be remoulded nevermore.

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.

Translators
Ameen Rihani
1876 –
1940