Houri

020 - Houri
by Saleh Badrah

The imagination and the senses
cannot be gratified at the same time.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

While I was sitting in my tent,
Reflecting on my arid soul,
A houri clad in luscious silk
Before my very eyes appeared.

But as I rose to touch and feel,
She turned around
And like a phantom disappeared.

Published in the Saudi Gazette, Thursday, 11 June 1998
Copyright © Saleh Badrah