A Fit... of the Devil!

The people fell silent... when the Devil spoke
words... that today he had repented..
And stillness settled... in a great calm —
no one wearied... and no wearying..
And a dumbness came over.. every son of Adam.. upon the earth
... so that none returns an answer..
And the evening companions turned... in the withholding of light..
into ruined graves... desolation.
And the vanguards of love faded... from the world..
no one waking.. and no companions

And the spread of sands... upon the shore became
wounded in conscience... unwilling to play at youth

And behold the wicked one... the Devil walking..
here or there.. feigning no innocence
And the beauties flung themselves... stoning the Devil..
and went off.. hastening away
Then the wretch showed himself... in the mantle of sorcery..
and among the beauties... he came as a book
Opening his palms... toward the fair ones...
for this one a cheer.. for that one a reproach

And behold, life... a cup and drunkenness...
and the committing of sins.. heart and fang

Safita — Ibrahim Mukhtar