Hard to Get

The morning sky shrieks light and cries, “I am in love with you!”

The rooster answers but I hunker down in my blankets

and try to ignore it.

At midday the sun blazes away screaming, “Come away with me!”

But I seek out the shade

And stuff bread in my ears.

At night the stars sing faintly and sweetly, “Make love to me!”

But I am throwing dice and drinking coffee with my friends

And although I hear them, I pretend that I do not.

In my dreams the Beloved punches me in the face and says,

“Why are you playing hard to get?”

In my dream, Najat says nothing.