The Mind

The subtle ways of Destiny I know

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 subtle ways of Destiny I know;
In me she plays her game of "Give and Go."
Misfortune I receive in cash, but joy,
In drafts on Heaven or on the winds that blow.

MLA

al-Ma'arri, Abu al-Ala. “The subtle ways of Destiny I know.” Translated by Ameen Rihani. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/al-maarri/86/.

Chicago

al-Ma'arri, Abu al-Ala. “The subtle ways of Destiny I know.” Translated by Ameen Rihani. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/al-maarri/86/.

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