I was an Arab, I loved my horse; Swift as an arrow He swept the course. Sweet as a lamb He came to hand; He was the flower Of all the land. Through lonely nights I rode afar; God lit His lights -- Star upon star. God's in the desert; His breath the air: Beautiful desert, Boundless and bare! Free as the wild wind, Light as a foal; Ah, there is room there To stretch one's soul. Far reached my thought, Scant were my needs: A few bananas And lotus seeds. Sparkling as water Cool in the shade, Ibrahim's daughter, Beautiful maid. Out of thy Kulleh, Fairest and first, Give me to drink Quencher of thirst. I am athirst, girl; Parched with desire, Love in my bosom Burns as a fire. Green thy oasis, Waving with Palms; Oh, be no niggard, Maid, with thy alms. Kiss me with kisses, Buds of thy mouth, Sweeter than Cassia Fresh from the South. Bind me with tresses, Clasp with a curl; And in caresses Stifle me, girl. I was an Arab Ages ago! Hence this home-sickness And all my woe. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AUTUMN MOVEMENT by CARL SANDBURG TYRANNICK [TYRANNIC] LOVE: EPILOGUE by JOHN DRYDEN TO HELEN (2) by EDGAR ALLAN POE THE FAMILY MAN by JOHN GODFREY SAXE DRINKING SONG, FR. THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL by RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN PORTRAIT BY PICHER by FRANCES BAKER |