1. How long will I live among the dead,
Among whom I was buried and for whom my death was transferred?

2. Since my poetry died, my strength died with it,
And my pleasures faded away in my teeth.

3. My comforts rot with it in the soil,
So they parted from me, parting my comforts.

4. They were armies that disgraced the glorious
And made the stubborn tyrant obey.

5. My mouth once held pearls of precious words
That threaded the beads of eloquent speech.

6. But now there is no solace beyond my teeth, no joy,
No sweetness of living or neighbors.

7. Ever since I was eloquent, flawless in speech,
The cranes of eloquence formed.

8. The T, D and R's have been taken from me
Along with the wing beats of my swallows and gazelles.

9. And I gave the throat letters compensation
By folding Q, K and M's.

10. Some of me passed away, and some remained, but alas
For those who left—if only my remnants knew!

11. It is no wonder that days have done this to me,
For they are the slayers of wonders.

12. As for wonders from me beyond this, if
I live after them, death's strokes will befall me.

13. How long will I be neither at war nor peace,
Muddled in deed, obeying and disobeying?

14. The drunk of sin continues unrepentant,
While I foolishly hope for my repentance.

15. Myself, Iblis and the hostile world—oh would that
Your pardon and success might assist me!

16. Enable me, O God, to do deeds that please You,
Your good pleasure, my Master, being my own.

17. So keep Your eyes vigilant over Iblis guarding me
And protect me from my soul’s and the world’s evil.