Love

When they departed

by Ibn al-Arabi 1165–1240

Translated by Reynold A. Nicholson (1911) · From The Tarjuman al-Ashwaq (Nicholson, 1911)

Love

When they departed, endurance and patience departed. They departed, although they were dwelling in the core of my heart.
I asked them where the travellers rested at noon, and I was answered, 'Their noonday resting-place is where the shíḥ and the bán trees diffuse a sweet scent.'
Then I said to the wind, 'Go and overtake them, for they are biding in the shade of the grove,
And bear to them a greeting from a sorrowful man in whose heart are sorrows because he is separated from his people.'

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Tarjuman al-Ashwaq, poem 6

MLA

al-Arabi, Ibn. “When they departed.” Translated by Reynold A. Nicholson. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/ibn-arabi/5/.

Chicago

al-Arabi, Ibn. “When they departed.” Translated by Reynold A. Nicholson. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/ibn-arabi/5/.

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