Issa's Song of Songs

by Daniel Arenson

This poem was first published in ChiZine in 2004.




Who is that, rising from the desert?

She is my beloved, my sweet daughter of Rujamesel

whose fingers are soft as myrrh

whose hair is scented as frankincense

Let us rejoice in our love, beloved!

Our love is sweeter than wine

our kisses are sweeter than the fruit of spring

My love, fairest among men!

Thine eyes are as the eyes of the hart

who walketh among the lilies

Thy hair is as sheaves of wheat

that hang golden in the sun

My beloved, fairest among women!

Thy love is like hills of spices

like clusters of grapes in the vineyard

Thy lips are as an open pomegranate

ripe and full of secrets

It is spring, my love, the rain has gone

the lilies have opened upon the earth

the almond sends forth her flowers

and the desert roses bloom

Let us rejoice in our love, beloved!

Let us be love-sick, my love!






Copyright ©  Daniel Arenson