The Mind
Whence does the nettle get its bitter sting
Translated by Ameen Rihani (1918) · From The Luzumiyat of Abu'l-Ala (1918)
The Mind
Whence does the nettle get its bitter sting?
Whence do the honey bees their honey bring?
Whence our Companions, too--our Whence and Why?
O Soul, I do not know a single thing!
Cite this poem
MLA
al-Ma'arri, Abu al-Ala. “Whence does the nettle get its bitter sting.” Translated by Ameen Rihani. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/al-maarri/111/.
Chicago
al-Ma'arri, Abu al-Ala. “Whence does the nettle get its bitter sting.” Translated by Ameen Rihani. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/al-maarri/111/.
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