The Luzumiyat of Abu’l-Ala, X

translated from the Arabic by Ameen Rihani

The Grave and Cradle, the untiring twain.
Who in the markets of this narrow lane
       Bordered of darkness, ever give and take
In equal measure—what’s the loss or gain?

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.