The moment he saw her,
He re- arranged his veil,
He stopped, forgetting the road,
Until his friends became surprised.

They understood of course,
And told him he must be patient….

Before seeing her face,
He saw her rings, her tizabatines,
Her necklace of amulets.
He was sick with love….

TUAREG POEM FROM WASSYLA TAMZALI,
ABZIM: PARURES ET BIJOUX DES FEMMES
D’ALGERIE (1984)