1. One morning you were determined to reminisce
About your youth, while grey hairs had become commonplace

2. An abode once familiar now seemed strange
With only distant lands still known to you

3. At Maytha waters flowed from a spring and mingled
With the abdomen of the hill, pure yet turbulent

4. Like a tattoo on the hands of a Harithi woman
In Najran, it left the beasts of prey wailing

5. Look my friend, do you see any gazelles
That have crossed Malhub calling to each other

6. Wild cows to the right and to the left
Severing the twisting valleys ruthlessly

7. A caller summoned them for autumn but they had no lands
So they gathered as nomads wandering

8. They paved the ground in brocade and climbed high
And descended embroidered, with restless legs

9. Slaughterers of conversation at dawn
Pasturing cattle never taking comfort

10. Narrow are the encampments and the camels rub
Against each other until they kneel down submissively

11. When they were equipped with litters they came
With shy eyes concealed by veils

12. As if the tinkling of anklets beneath their clothes
Was the harvest of blades meeting gusting winds

13. Jewels and rubies as if the sparks of their ornaments
Were embers filling up deep pockets

14. They have a charming conversation that leaves a youth
Light of possessions with a desirous heart

15. Not less than a cloud made bright by the lightning’s radiance
Illuminating the veiled maidens

16. Daughters of Naqah looking from every hill
On earth for a loved one, generous and loyal

17. And not of those whose tents were sold with stones
Or those who cultivated the fields

18. Until they migrated to challenge the enemies
And guided the loyal

19. They dispersed Yarbu and the Bekr and Wael
And united Abs with Malik and Mujashi

20. Had it been the land of Banu Kaws where they wintered
With the south wind, the pastures would not have been protected

21. But they met men who seemed not to know
Places of prayer, even those nearby

22. And they faced a band from the lineage of Uqda
Who hoarded the water and denied access

23. We said to them, if you deny us your lands
We will find a way in the rest of the vast earth

24. And the rain of every cloud will deny you
The spring downpour, leaving the water stagnant

25. The cool of the dew and the showers until autumn changes you
When the eagles arrive in the morning to hunt

26. As for the plight of the departure, we will face it
However fearsome, even if we must fight

27. With Hayyi Numayri, feared by all
When the vile become unruly

28. I thought to attack them were it not for dignity and piety
And wisdom restraining ignorance without a deterrent

29. We were people quick to anger
Guarding when the borders were exposed