Thank you, Ryfkah - your comments are very helpful.
Moth larvae spin feeding tunnels as they move on the surface of fabrics
(spin, munch, spin, munch, I suppose). A saph's a communal prayer carpet.
The one I've seen would accommodate seven people. Very beautiful with
different designs and colours for each place.
bw
c
> << moths
>
>
>
> her dowry bag is ruined [wonderful eye catching opening]
>
> hours spent over shai ma' na' na' [spent drinking sahi ma' na' na'?]
>
> in a Syrian souk that stank [mint mixed with what?]
>
> have come to nothing
>
> she sees feeding tunnels [what are feeding tunnels? Has this something
to
> do with moles?]
>
> in the knots of a saph she found in Samarkand
>
> and in Koranic verses
>
> in spandrels worked by tiny Isfahani hands
>
> vegetable dyes dilate her pupils [this is an interesting image]
>
> more than any lover
>
> but now
>
> fat caterpillars [vivid ending]
>
> crawl across the exquisite tomb rug
>
> from the wretched place
>
> she can't remember
>
> >>
>
> I like the use of the foreign words; gives the poem flavor. I couldn't
find
> saph - looked all over - what is it?
>
> kol tuv, Ryfkah
>
|