Selected Love Arabic poetry from al-Andalus

“An approach to Love”

Ibn Shuhayd, Cordova 922-1035

When, drenched in drunkenness, he lay down and fell asleep

and the eyes of the nightwatchman closed in slumber

I approached him timidly, like friend, who is searching for something

Imperceptibly as a dream, I crept close to him,

and sweetly as breathing, I drew close to him,

I kissed the whiteness of his neck and sipped the redness of his lips;

And I spent the night with him deliciously,

until the darkness smilled showing the white teeth of the dawn.

“The Dancer”

Ibn Kharuf, Cordova d. 1205

With his varied movements, he plays with your mind,

and is robed in beauty as he throws off his clothes.

Swaying like a branch in the garden,

frisky as a gazelle in its lair;

With his comings and goings he plays with your reason

as fate plays at the will of men.

And presses his head with his feet,

as the point of the sword is bent to its hilt.

“ A Robe of Love”

Ibn Khafajah, Alcira (1058-1138)

With gazelle glances, with her antelope neck,

with lips of wine and teeth like bubbles

She glided along in her gown embroidered with gold

like shining stars entwined around the moon;

The hand of love enveloped us by night

in a robe of embraces which was torn away by the hand of dawn.