1. From a night when thunder roared
A shriek not to be endured, and the serpent's rhythm

2. It cast off on me a cloak of clouds
The wind there loosening its edges

3. And dawn had cracked the darkness as though
It were a bright face from which a mask fell away

4. So I sauntered in the darkness of nightfall as though
The rending clouds on either side were rags

5. And I lunged into the darkness' chest for something
Between me and time there was clashing

6. And I gathered in my train loathing a tribe
Crooked in nature as though they were ribs

7. Rushing in reckless obstinacy like a torrent
Whose surging waves were charging cavalry

8. They stab my flanks with scornful glances
Kindled as predators' eyes ignite when ravenous

9. I emptied my words into their livers
A dripping their ears were funnels for

10. And I connected myself to Muhammad
As though we were wrist and forearm

11. I gained through him in agedness a companion
Beyond youth so contention pulls me to him

12. I would boil in purchasing his love
If only the ties of love were sold

13. And to you, coy one, were I to woo
Eyes and ears would not be opened

14. With it the palms' every handful smells of flowers
Unfurled for it from its five petals like funnels