1. In my youth I took a view that now in age I leave behind,
You'll never see me take a path that you yourself now wind.

2. And if I've never censured you when taking a deep drink,
I've staunched the blood that you have spilled and left behind to sink.

3. For in the turns of life I’ve found my ship cannot withstand
The heavy, blessed ropes of death that it is forced to bind.

4. I'm thrust against my will to face a time that does conspire
In every moment new to foil and countermand.

5. An army of misfortunes presses in on every hour,
Can mortal souls survive except what death will grind?

6. The bolts of lightning snap like bones, the blossoms of the stars
Burn out and fall to earth like soft meteors to find.

7. And if my soul escapes the bite of his rapacious sword,
My head still raised the storm its sabers dark rain down to blind.

8. An age has come and gone still locked in battle with its peers,
Can lions shun the vicious fight? It is their life defin'd.

9. Though love and spite for me commingle, in them both joy has birth,
I love my fading locks, my wasting form, though pain they bind.

10. Sulayma saw me and exclaimed, as if the sun had breathed
New life on me and blanched my darkness, no more confin'd.

11. Just as Salma looked on Du'bil's head, though peppered gray,
She marveled as his smiling hair silver strands did wind.

12. I glimpse a girl whose eyes match mine, competing in her grace,
Her beauty foils my own, contending charms together twined.

13. To reach her beauty veil there lies, who now can rend its shield
When all the prime of life from me has been erased and shrin'd?

14. My youth once held the purest wine of love enrapturing,
And all the soft gazelles its every whim and want defin'd.

15. It's as though no gentle doves could cheer my lonesome heart,
Indifferent, languid glances have my will entwined.

16. A gazelle who found me verse reciting was possessed
By a co-rival in each moment flanking side-aligned.

17. I turned the wine cask's spout toward a rain shower streaming down
Colliding with its pouring flow the wine and water joined.

18. And said, "Imbibe the coffee's aroma from its clay urn
Till in your hangover's cap all will be strained and pined.”

19. A froth prevents its gentle scent from suddenly taking flight,
Circling its rim a lace, a net round its mouth entwined.

20. A garden blossoms as if kings lie prostrate 'mong its beds,
Their bodies flush as the bright beads around their necks aligned.

21. The courtyard pool frozen overnight as hail pelted down,
Our fires melted icy shards as morning rays reclin'd.

22. Is that or aunta’s tyranny to hobble dancing girls,
Shackling their ankles in its clasp with rings their feet to bind?

23. If e'er a night for travel comes with mules in file prest,
Caparisoned their bridles, saddled, to the road consign'd,

24. Called "death defying" landmarks speck the desert's barren wastes,
But no real living can be found except these risks to mind.

25. On a crumbling wall I sought to build my hut and there erect
A shelter, which when done, came crashing down to crush and grind.

26. My critic, senseless luxury is a crucifix,
While frugal living myPROFILE 1. I love reading books and writing poetry. Some of my favorite authors are Jhumpa Lahiri, Pablo Neruda, and Walt Whitman. In my free time, I enjoy nature walks, listening to classical music, and learning new languages. I have a BA in English Literature. Spiritually, I find meaning through quiet reflection and connection to nature. I value creativity, empathy and integrity. I'm looking for interesting conversation and new perspectives. Let's exchange thoughts on art, culture and the human experience!