Surah XII

Yusuf

You cannot marry him the brother says--
and strikes her, just to make the words acute.
And with these words etched on her hopeful face
he said, 'It’s final. It is absolute.'
She looked into his eyes and saw the pain:
a thousand years of pious certainty
was his dark look. And so she asked again.
This time, he nothing said and turned away.
The girl began to pray, her hands aloft:
‘Oh Allah, the compassionate and great--
Melt thou my brother’s heart to make it soft--
Give me my lover, turn the bitter sweet.’
And God that instant looking from above
Remembered Yusuf and confirmed his love.