Earthly purpose

Trekking o'er the Four Great Lands
Saw woodlands, stone temples, volcanoes;
Vistas, each with wide embrace,
Exotic, warm bosom did offer;

But ever onward must I roam,
To seek my earthly purpose;

For thee, the springtime was at hand:
A new home, a new hope, good fortune;
"Afrique, au 'voir!" and turned thy face
From childhood, from fam'ly, from homeland;

But never Allah did forsake:
Upheld thy earthly purpose;

Arrived, awaited what would come,
Expecting no warm-bed companion;
Defenseless to thy virtue, grace,
Was taken ere even I noticed;

From slow decline was lifted up;
And given...