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Ghazal 1380
Yesterday you put a crown on my head
that, no matter how anyone strikes it,
will not fall off. Love’ nightcap,
with your handstitching around the brow.
Even if my head’s not in it,
because it is your gift to me,
my head becomes a pearl
lifted from the jewelbox.
Prove it. Here’s a heavy mace.
See if I am more bone and marrow than soul.
Inside this skull-nut there’s almond essence
to sweeten lip and throat and put light in the eyes.
So no more complaining.
Jesus didn’t ask, "Where’s my donkey?"
There was just one less in the donkey herd.
The strength of a rider
doesn’t come from his lean mount
but from his love.
Don’t say Ah, ah, when you’re hurt.
Say Allah.
Joseph didn’t talk about his time in the well,
but rather of sitting on the throne of Egypt.
Version by Coleman Barks
"These Branching Moments,"
Copper Beech Press, 1988)
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