Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TREES AND WAVES, by AL-ISRA'ILI
First Line: Elms in the meadow springing
Last Line: And cry, 'to battle!'

Elms in the meadow springing,
Silken pennants swinging
On tawny lances;
The river dances...

Ripple of mail rises
To war; no surprise is
The elms stand steady,
Line of combat ready.

Wave on wave surging,
To the ramparts verging;
The bent elms prattle
And cry, 'To battle!'