By Antarah ibn Shaddad, from War Songs, which will be published next month by NYU Press. Antarah was a pre-Islamic poet and warrior of the sixth century. Translated from the Arabic by James E. Montgomery with Richard Sieburth.
The crow,
beak like a pair of shears,
croaked.
I was afraid
they’d leave
and now they’re gone.
“Don’t let your chicks fly the nest
and leave you
lost and bereft,”
I warned him, but his news
inspired my fear
the long night through.
Often I’ve defended
the women of Amir,
their legs slim
and tender as stalks,
from the onslaught of
armed raiders.
I won’t be able
to outrun Fate
when she comes.
Cowards run.
I stand
my ground.
