1. The dawn has grown harsh, revealing its bare ascent,
Deaf of heart, iron of hearing,

2. With sharp fangs and tearful eyes,
As though enabled by the hiss of a cobra

3. Slithering out of the skin of pitch darkness.
It takes the stars of night towards the unknown,

4. Like an archer or arrow in haste.
I have not seen lightning other than it gleam,

5. Nor a four-winged bird,
Blackened, darkened spears of forearms,

6. Casting beasts like a spotted crow
And watching with frightened eyes,

7. Nearly speaking in excess of saturated wisdom,
Answering the delusions of its Lord though uncalled.

8. It pours like a torrent into a ravine
And rises like gathering lightning.

9. What dwellings play host, and what feast is adorned?
Chasing kin, massive of rib,

10. With the physique of a well-fed doe
And breasts of a lively filly.

11. The death of grazing beasts is fettered.
A grumbling, defeated ally.

12. If it were to return on the heels of a turbulent wind,
It would leave them in sorrow before hastening away.

13. With conscious hooves and a compliant head,
Thick of mane, bare of four legs.

14. With it I hunt beasts, beasts of the meadows,
As if they came from its valley in droves

15. And I cast the prey amongst the group.
So it is a trusty stead in times of panic

16. And the provision for companions and hunger,
Of beautiful favor, not mere gleam,

17. And a peerless companion in creation.
An untiring escort, not out of greed,

18. Its swaying sides not due to coveting.
When will it return water to the hungry brook

19. And restore the pond’s ample drink,
Like an ember you smell and it cuts short,

20. As if you brought it near a candle?
In what dark gloom has it not shone through

21. And what barren year has it not been fruitful,
Whereby it pastured every loving meadow

22. And dominated the horseman’s realm?
It strode in the heart of armor of interwoven mail

23. Like passion in the entrails of a raging lover.
It brings security yet more fear and dread,

24. With it I deflect the arrows from the armored ones.
If it were proper for the listener to hear it speak

25. Tales of Aad and the people of Thamud
And the day Joshua reversed the sun,

26. A righteous narration, not mere amusement,
Censuring a people I abstained from

27. In chastity, piety and composure,
But when avarice arrives,

28. I do not ask or plead or grovel.
I neither frown nor bow nor shake.

29. They resent only the tattered sandal.
A position that surpasses all positions

30. And every unprecedented meaning,
Concise in verse or paired rhyme,

31. Better than the coo of evenly marked doves,
It rhymes in life even if not in rhyme,

32. And my greatest sin with that party
Was lasting love and intimate embrace,

33. While I am remote from vile abuse
And that is heresy to the heretics.

34. No wrath either from sating thirst or hunger,
My saying will be known by the mourner if I am mourned.

35. Which of us had Truth as confidante
And who frequented the most barren pasture,

36. On a day when shedding tears is useless
And every soul meets its demise?

37. The world is but a way of deceit,
And its vicissitudes a lesson for the claimant.