An Escape

She was beautiful that evening and so gay....

In little games

My hand had slipped her mantle,

I am not sure

About her skirts.

Then in the night’s curtain of shadows,

Heavy and discreet,

I asked and she replied:

To-morrow.

Next day I came

Saying, Remember.

Words of a night, she said, to bring the day.

From the Arabic of Abu Nuas (eighth century).