Waddah al-Yaman

Al-Yaman was born in Yemen in the second half of the seventh century. He was famous for his erotic and romantic poems.

He was executed by the Umayyad Caliph Al-Walid I, allegedly due to his over familiarity with his wife. Al-Yaman is now regarded as the national poet of Yemen.

Excerpt of one of Al-Yaman's poems:

She said: "Don’t come to our home, my father is deadly jealous."

I said: "I’ll pluck you before he knows it, my sword is razor sharp."

She said: "There’s a whole castle between us."

I said: "I’ll fly my flag over the castle."

She said: "There’s a whole sea between us."

I said: "I’m a strong swimmer."

She said: "My seven brothers keep an eye on me."

I said: "I’m a match for them all."

She said: "Allah is watching us."

I said: "My lord is Merciful and Forgiving."

She said: "I have run out of words, so come tonight when everyone’s floating in dreams, and fall on me like dew, undisturbed."

• Waddah al-Yaman: national poet

• List of Arab scientists and scholars