Voice of Woman

Lilies of paradise, O fingertips,

or the first-born locks of radiance?

Their hills have flushed rose-red — O my blood,

be slow! I wished that death would not make haste;

enough for me that my soul fell sick

upon their skin, and barriers rose between.

Fingertips you are: did you, I wonder,

never know that ivory is no match,

and that the Maker — glory be to Him —

has an art before which Raphaels fall short...

Then wake enchantment in my limbs,

or no: be bountiful, however I contrive,

and let me press my brow down, O my delight —

and oh the bliss of an abasement prolonged —

and let me drink deep of hope: how much I quench with it...

Alas! After it the streams ran dry.

Your graceful fingertips played upon hearts and upon the piano —

their tips are red, as though on every fingertip a pearl!

You made the piano's tongue speak out with grace and suppleness;

in its merry wandering it is like a bird warbling its eloquence,

and in your singing throat a nightingale chants without repose,

telling its tale as the boon companion tells it — no stammer, no strange tongue.

So I heard the hymn of longing, of yearning, and of pearls,

and cried out sigh upon sigh, like a drunkard with his wine!

By Riyad Maalouf

O you who bewitch me with those eyes, I love you to madness.

I see you with another — why do the suspicions of you come true?

Who is he, then, this companion — the intruder, the liar, the traitor?

He is not worthy of this beauty of yours — how then can you betray?

I was envied for you — and people envy every blessing.

After the gentle quiet, after the happiness and calm,

I saw you playing so freely, singing on to the edge of wantonness.

Answer me — you blush! From where were you taught these arts?

I knew you a lover of great fidelity, of great charm;

has some vanity beguiled you, has some madness come over you?

If your promise is a debt, then how many debts you owe me!

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