Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE TOOTHPICK by GHALIB IBN RIBAH AL-HAJJAM

First Line: WHY DOES THE KING NOT PAY
Last Line: FLING CARELESSLY AWAY?

Why does the king not pay
Attention to my plight,
Who brightened with my ray
So long his weary sight?

Am I a toothpick then
Which, bringing into play
Their teeth to whiten, men
Fling carelessly away?



Home: PoetryExplorer.net