Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Jewish

11th Century

About Solomon ibn Gabirol

Timeline (1021? - 1058)

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English version by
Peter Cole

Original Language
Hebrew

I look for you early,

Themes

Dawn

Heart

Night

Recommended Books

	The Heart and the Fountain: An Anthology of Jewish Mystical Experiences, by Joseph Dan
	Music of a Distant Drum: Classical Arabic, Persian, Turkish & Hebrew Poems, Translated by Bernard Lewis
	The Penguin Book of Hebrew Verse, Edited by T. Carmi
	Poetry for the Spirit: Poems of Universal Wisdom and Beauty, Edited by Alan Jacobs

I look for you early,
my rock and my refuge,
          offering you worship
     morning and night;
before your vastness
I come confused
          and afraid for you see
     the thoughts of my heart.

What could the heart
and tongue compose,
          or spirit's strength
     within me to suit you?
But song soothes you
and so I'll give praise
          to your being as long
     as your breath-in-me moves.

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Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

About Solomon ibn Gabirol

Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World