Translated from the Arabic by Will Pewitt
Clothed in the water of your generosity. Given liberally, yet ephemerally, I’m soaked yet unclothed. A brother can fast, he can kneel. But greed cannot uncurse itself.
أَلْبِسِ الماءَ المداما وآسقني حتّى أناما وأَفِضْ جودك في الناسِ تكنْ فيهم إماما لعنَ اللهُ أخا البخـ لِ وإن صلّى وصاما
Abbasid poet Ulayya bint al-Mahdī was, as her name alludes, daughter of the caliph al-Mahdī, but was also sister to Harun al-Rashid, whose legend features prominently in the 1,001 Nights. In addition to her talent in verse, she was also acclaimed for her musical gifts.
Born in Austin, Texas, Will Pewitt now lives in Jacksonville, Florida where he teaches global literature. He publishes in a variety of genres, from fiction and poetry to history and philosophy.