by Naomi Shihab Nye
Mirkayan, don't show your love, simply relish
the veiled passion that lures the lover.
It's enough if your marvelous eyes make me
drink a full-cupped draught from life.
Hide your love from morning dew,
from brilliant sun and searing wind
Be stingy! Till that day arrives
when the eyes stay shut and play has ceased
Leave me infatuated with your love
not knowing if you're mine, or illusion's vapor
When night overwhelms, I say, " A dream! "
and fear the fading of the awesome dark
Everything there is, is hard on beauty,
like a bee draining a flower. Lovely lover, disappear!
Last updated February 16, 2023