1. My eyes promised me a fantasy of union
Though fulfilling that promise was delayed

2. And I find fantasies a comfort
As the union itself was but a fantasy

3. My tears keep flowing downward
Still dripping, still sad

4. In my heart a fire from passion melts me
As if from the troubles I bear, a flood

5. My liver burned, wishing it
Could meet the rain from my beloved, a sip

6. You are my remedy, O dove, though I
Treat with you an illness hard to heal

7. If only you had known, that day of distress
What I said to the stranger about you, and he said

8. That day my heart burned like embers
I sought shade from the lances’ blades

9. In an open desert, no sand grouse wandered
No cows had stepped on its sands before

10. But thoughts of you gave me comfort
While grief spurred my tears to flow on

11.
I had not forgotten, slipping into night

12. When stars lose the way, roads hard to recall
The she-camels strode on with easy gait

13. Bearing burdens heavy, a difficult load
Brushing the men, they strode on

14. Crashing down under the men, stumbling
They did not know, of Adnan’s brave youths

15. Were they carrying men? Or carrying mountains?
When she halted in the valley, remembering

16. As you halted on the barren plains, stopping
While the house is high, and one who strives

17. Reaches it, whipped his steed to run
If my she-camel takes me where I aim

18. And I come to fresh Zulayb water
Cleave her breastbones, heated in the blaze

19. Her ribs steaming as the north wind blows
To a house where the caravan halted

20. And left as relics, the tethering place
Sa’d remained, glancing with his eye

21. At it, watering it with pouring tears
It questions the vestige of the abode

22. Why did the ruins not inform you, when asked?
No! By my father may his eye wander,

23. Right and left, though love be against his wish
My eyes have not glimpsed a gazelle since

24. Nor did the lion hunt the small gazelle
Why are you now, when my temples greyed

25. And my fortune near you has turned to ruin
You abandoned me, as the young lady does

26. When shade of youth departs, and is no more
Your resistance to love used to be

27. An inducement; now your resistance wearies

28. A time has passed, O heart, that will not return
When I enjoyed, before old age, union

29. Seek not what is past, it is over
It cannot please you now

30. If you seek the unattainable
You ask the impossible from time

31. Stay at the bounty of Abdul Ghani
If you wish then set out, elegant and ready

32. The needy do not lack his generosity
Hopes find refuge and destination in him

33. When hands fall short of kindness and dew
You will find his hands extended, stretched

34. He refuses avarice and gives freely
Punishing whoever doubts time’s meanness

35. If the stars were fair they would kiss
His feet, by your life, and his shoes

36. He is a towering glory, rising high
Glorious deeds make one immortal

37. With the most truthful words spoken to you
And the highest deeds I have witnessed

38. The breadth of his noble mansion does not narrow
When another’s breadth narrows, lacking room

39. Mother of Nights never birthed his equal
Even if you see the Nights are pregnant

40. Some people and events were
Swords unleashed, blades bared

41. They stretched helpful hands
Whenever disaster visited a land

42. Blessed is He who made him kind to people
With kindness God elevates him

43.
I sought him, and my request reached him

44. To gain prestige from him, and wealth
He accepted my request like clouds’ rain

45. Drenching me with downpour, a flood
When I recite poetry praising him

46. I speak truer than any poem told
My savior when aid is little, my helper

47. Though the noblest stumble, he lifts and carries
Your tongue and the right hand Yemeni sword are one

48. When the stalwarts fall short, you reach and attain
None rival you but I likened you

49. To the shining full moon, an example
Those are your traits that you attained

50. Kept far from your envious rivals
Times changed, as they are destined to

51. But events changed not your state
Who but you is hoped for and feared?

52. Sometimes descent, sometimes ascent
In you, Abu Mahmoud, we seek plenty

53. United, always your dependents
We are but people sustained by your gifts

54. As the blessed quarter rain poured
You gave freely, you did not withhold

55. Surely, you are able, if you wished to be
When one calls your name, be to the seeker

56. Hopeful of your kindness, a boon and prize

57. You filled the gnostics’ hearts completely
With majesty, and the beholders’ eyes with beauty

58.
To you, my poetry’s rhyme scheme is not a gift

59. When inspired by you, it stretches and extends
You inspired ardent poetry describing you

60. Circling news of your sublime traits
Like necklaces on time’s chest displayed