1. A pleasing four letter word that touches our souls
We yearn for it, desire it, yet it’s neglected

2. It has an easy beginning when the sun rises
Though incomplete, with it we become whole

3. When prefixed by a sixth part, it clarifies
Sending the message clearly to both parties

4. Without the prefix, minus a sixth that remains
Is enough, a sign to chant and extol

5. It can empower and feed a person, and maybe
Become his very sustenance, consumed in full

6. After it, inverted letters copying its form
Meaningless to count, compose or extoll

7. If a planet touches either side minimally
It becomes a deviant statement from the truth

8. Prefix it with the vav and the absent star
It becomes a bird in Damascus flying high and low

9. The second letter of the riddle, its pronunciation
Is bare, unadorned, contained in a brazier

10. It carries the sorrow of a grieving soul
Which fades with its order but remnants prevail

11. The Shia man sees its shape formed in the full moon
So he calls out, this is the first messenger

12. Or however much makes you happy, take your fill
Be stingy with it, for even the generous

13. Are chastised if they don’t conserve when thrift is wisdom
Moreover know half its half, the latter part

14. Is overused in math, severely discounted
It learned from foreign languages to hyphenate

15. Except it does not glide smoothly in speech
After this half and a fourth comes a single one

16. Completing it, banishing worries until
If absent where the grape seed lies,

17. What remains is problematic, still unsolved
Oh beautiful name that comforts hearts

18. But if exceeded destroys and kills
When found now it brings neither good nor evil, useless

19. Will a noble free soul unveil the mask
And gain the thanks of the grateful with merit