from Ibn al-`Arabi, Turjuman selections, translated by Michael Sells

Poem #40
Moon over Busra
translated 26 May, 1 December 2003

Between Adhriyat and Busra
appeared a girl of fourteen years,
my full moon rising

Majestic, pride of her time,
the glory.

Every moon when it reaches completion
to complete the month must wane.

But this moon has no phases
through zodiac constellations,
no doubling the odd to even.

Reliquary filled with blended perfume
and fragrance, garden flowering
spendorous with spring.

Beauty in you has attained its zenith,
no other like you, possible, in creation.