My Heart Is In The East

My heart is in the east, and I in the uttermost west-
How can I find savour in food? How shall it be sweet to me?
How shall I render my vows and my bonds, while yet
Zion lieth beneath the fetter of Edom, and I in Arab chains?
A light thing would it seem to me to leave all the good things of Spain-
Seeing how precious in mine eyes to behold the dust of the desolate sanctuary.

Translated by Nina Salaman