Poems from The Dream of the Poem: Hebrew Poetry from Muslim and Christian Spain, 950-1492, (Princeton University Press).
Translated from the Arabic by Peter Cole

Peter Cole is the recipient of a 2004 PEN Translation Fund Award for The Dream of the Poem: Hebrew Poetry from Muslim and Christian Spain (Princeton University Press).

Love for the World

Man in his love for the world is like
     a dog gnawing on bones:       
He sucks the blood between his lips
     and doesn’t know it’s his own.

Always Be Vigilant

Always be vigilant not to take      
anyone lightly, no matter their size—    
lest you end up holding your throat  
     as you gag on the smallest of flies.

Consider This

I’m always amazed by intelligent people
     who never consider this:
How is it that man grows so proud        
when he comes from the place where we piss?

Suffer Your Sorrow

Suffer your sorrow to soften the pain.        
Try to resist and the sorrow remains.