The Luzumiyat of Abu'l-Ala, LXXXIX

translated from the Arabic by Ameen Rihani

If my house-swallow, laboring with zest, 
Felt like myself the burden of unrest, 
    Unlightened by inscrutable designs, 
She would not build her young that cozy nest. 

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.