1. O breeze of the wind blowing magic at dawn,
And tongue of lightning celebrating the rain,

2. Awaken the slumber of meadows from their sleep,
So it shakes off the hems of its garments,

3. And returns its spirit since they shed
The water of meadow blossoms in the musk of thyme,

4. They entrusted it to a gentle breeze,
So they spread the news it had concealed,

5. Convey from me to a brother I left behind
In Tlemcen, a fragrant greeting,

6. And let him know that since we parted,
I have not found comfort in anything between us,

7. How can I ask after him when traces of him
Are sorrows filling up my soul?

8. A gentle manner and refined hand,
Modesty and freshness that dazzled,

9. How many intimate hours we shared
In the early morn or late eve,

10. Gardens whose buds we plucked
To uncover a stream or flower,

11. From everything beautiful she was endowed
To capture every heart and enchant,

12. Among blooming roses in her cheeks
A narcissus stealing glances,

13. She spoke and her sweet saliva intoxicated
The meadow reeds tilting tipsily,

14. And blossoms you’d see pearls strung
In her smile and garlanded in jewels,

15. The meadow wove them in its branches
As the north wind blew scattering them,

16. What a sight it was that took from me
My eyes but left its traces,

17. Her moonlit company reminded me
At dawn evoking longing and magic,

18. She resembled a languid singing girl
Raising her voice and plucking the strings,

19. Oh that life! If not for the fact
That its duration was so brief,

20. In its prime, separation darkened it
Creeping in like poisoned wine,

21. Such are the days, fickle as wine,
Now clear, now bitter,

22. Like a wine jar, first sweet
Then hiding embers within,

23. O you who migrate, though in my thoughts
Riding on, heedless of danger,

24. You are to me the dearest soul, though far,
Whether we were close or unknown,

25. And dawn has risen for one
Who no longer needs the moon,

26. Would that I knew how to forget
When familiarity turns to estrangement!

27. Damned is the one who sunders us!
How many a lover from his beloved!

28. His silence deceived me at first,
Though he hid his jealous schemes,

29. And saw for me images of intimacy
Then set about erasing those images,

30. A sermoner, though his state counseled otherwise,
So observe him and learn a lesson!

31. He gathered forever for separation
Swarms to approach other swarms,

32. Yes he spoke, and yes I reproached him,
Ask - all flows as Fate has decreed.

33. Submit to Him who decreed it,
All will flow as Fate has decreed,

34. No - His decree prevails,
Without you my heart has no comfort.