English poem
The Luzumiyat, CXII (Whence does the nettle get its…)
by Abu al-Ala al-Maarri (973–1057)
Whence does the nettle get its bitter sting? Whence do the honey bees their honey bring? Whence our Companions, too—our Whence and Why? O Soul, I do not know a single thing!