1. When asked about the hour of separation I would tell
Of the day at the time of departure or tomorrow
١. إذا سئلت عن ساعة البين خبّرت
عن اليوم في وقت الرواح أو الغد
2. And the vicissitudes of fate have separated me and her
And we were as the middle and index fingers
٢. وفرّق صرف الدهر بيني وبينها
وكنّا كما الوسطى وسبّابة اليد
3. I held back the flow of tears but could not
Find respite so they overflowed despite my resolve
٣. تجلدت عن سفح الدموع فلم أجد
مساغا ففاضت في حشا المتجلّد
4. And they were tears but their abundance turned them
Into a blazing fire in the midst of dry kindling
٤. وكانت دموعا فاستحالت بحرّها
لظى جذوة في يابس متوقّد