A Response to ‘Lesson from the Karma Sutra’ by Mahmoud Darwish
Do not wait if her thirst is not met by your azure cup
Do not wait for manna to fall or for the desert wind to cease
Do not wait with the practiced patience of a false prince
Do not wait for watered glimpses of perfection in time
Do not wait, but rush as to an oasis and drink wildly
Let the birds in her braided hair fly away to perches more perfect
Do not wait, rouse the twin partridges asleep on her chest
Take her to the balcony and ignore the milk drowned moon gasping for air
Do not wait
Speak not to her in notes of the timid flute, but take her to the lemon tree and spill your prayers upon her as the lamb that does not know her sacred death will come with sugared words
Do not wait to polish the rings of night
Do not wait for morning to declare its disapproval of the banality of desire
Offer all you carry, recklessly – do not wait
~ Annie Lewis
Annie Lewis is an amateur American poet that has been living and working on the friendlier side of the border of Syria and Jordan for the last two years. In addition to poetry, her passion is travel, and planning new adventures.
Featured artwork by Sara Sultan.