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The lock of knowledge
Thanks to the snow that
Poured wisdom into vials
Thanks to the snow that
With bubbles
Wet the birds’ wings
Sprinkled silver
On mysterious nests
Stretched its fingers
To a far away sun...
Whinnied roses
Into the ear of trees
Made hearths and gypsies dance
Aroused love and coffee
Wrote in darkness
With fingers of magic...
The Book of Ardour*
Thanks to the snow
That kept you
O Abu Tammam
 
 
 
 

Translator's Note: *The Book of Ardour is a famous Arabic anthology of poetry compiled by the great poet Abu Tammam when he was snowbound in the mountains and had recourse to a great library.