Black Horse With White Chest

Ibn Sa’id Al-maghribi
Arab Andalusian
1213 – 1286

 

Black hindquarters, white chest:
he flies on the wings of the wind.

When you look at him you see dark night
opening, giving way to dawn.

Sons of Shem and Ham live harmoniously
in him, and take no care for the words
of would-be troublemakers.

Men’s eyes light up when they see
reflected in his beauty

the clear strong black and white
of the eyes of beautiful women.

Translation by Cola Franzen

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