Selected Poems by Qurratu'l-'Ayn

Edited and translated by Amin Banani with Jascha Kessler

The King Walked In

The king walked in, and no one saw him come.
His words, how beautiful! His face, how fair!

Now, everyone will perish at his feet
His lovers, drunk on joy, run to be there.

The sun of Glory risen high! Glory!
it shines now—sparkling, glowing in the air.

The mountain peaks bow low before his beauty.
They circle 'round like pilgrims lost in prayer.

And endless verses flow from his sweet tongue.
Prophets of old rush from the past to hear.