Sol 5.6

  1. And a day whose length sleep seems to steal away—

    with days like this, time is folded up and shortened.

  2. Clear weather and cloud divide it between them; so its sun

    unveils her beauty at times, and at others hides in modesty.

  3. Two alternating states renew it before the eye,

    making it seem the garden is folded away, then spread anew.

  4. Joined to it was a verdant garden, visited by dew overnight,

    which by morning shimmered among its boughs.

  5. When the north wind ripples through it, you see the garden

    as though pearls were cascading over it.

  6. Above it you see a haze of green rising from it:

    whatever it touches of the sky’s canopy turns green.

  7. It flaunts itself amid reds and yellows, as though they were

    carpets and brocade intricately patterned by ʿAbqar.

  8. A sought destination for the seeker of delight, a pleasure-ground

    with something for listeners to hear, and a sight to behold.

Sol 5.6