The Mind

The Earth then spake: "My children silent be

by Abu al-Ala al-Ma'arri 973–1057

Translated by Ameen Rihani (1918) · From The Luzumiyat of Abu'l-Ala (1918)

The Mind

The Earth then spake: "My children silent be;
Same are to God the camel and the flea:
He makes a mess of me to nourish you,
Then makes a mess of you to nourish me."

MLA

al-Ma'arri, Abu al-Ala. “The Earth then spake: "My children silent be.” Translated by Ameen Rihani. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/al-maarri/50/.

Chicago

al-Ma'arri, Abu al-Ala. “The Earth then spake: "My children silent be.” Translated by Ameen Rihani. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/al-maarri/50/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Abu al-Ala al-Ma'arri