At first You loved

Beauty best,

Curls touched with henna,

Plaintive call of the zurna,

Ringing—of hooves—on flint,

A shapely dismount,

In two Turkish slippers

Embroidered with semi-precious …

Then You loved—someone else—

Sharp arched eyebrow,

Silk carpets—

Pink Bokharnans,

Rings on every finger,

Birthmark on a cheek,

Lingering sunburn under white silk lace,

London at dusk.

And then—

Someone, who remains dear …

—What of me will remain

In Your heart, wanderer?