April Twenty-Seventh

TWICE TIMES THEN IS NOW
by Ibn Hazm Al-Andalusi (994-1064)

YOU ASK how old am I
bleached by the sun
my teeth all gone.
How old am I?

I have no guide
no calendar inside
except a smile
and little kiss
she gave me
by surprise
upon my brow.

And now,
that little while
is all my life
and all reality,
how long or brief
it seems to be.

-- translated by OMAR S. POUND
and happy birthday to me today - blog author