With your eyes, man, sweep her eyes away
And enjoy them in isolation
In the pearly stillness.
With your eyes, woman, burn his hands
And pour yourself out
Drop by drop
On his lips,
And wet his fringes
With an honest desire.
To me, my eyes are a language,
Watchtowers,
Obedience,
Listen ing,
Caution,
Pleasure,
And the perplexities of a child
Who entrusted his yearning to me.

Translated by Issa J. Boullata