1. A nation's tragedy, and I am the afflicted one
I have witnessed the passing of refined minds

2. How can a people be afraid of the clashing of swords
When their souls are shielded from harm?

3. Ask the fallen hero with what wound he was felled
His answer will point to the pain in my heart

4. And between my ribs burns an ember
That sets my garments ablaze

5. Leave talk of the calamity and awaken
For I am the bereaved if the truth be told

6. In the chaos of battle some mistook
Desert wolves and raging lions as prey

7. He cared not if the sword cut down
Or if kin were left lifeless

8. Time ravaged the Arabs' heritage
And the empire of the letter Dhall is fading

9. Calamities loom but no kingdom remains
Whose glory dust does not swallow

10. Be gentle, oh guide, we have found in you
What riders find in their mounts

11. Tormented breasts and burning hearts
That flood the paths and valleys with sorrow

12. We hope you will return though lost
And wish you would relent though determined

13. No hearts or loved ones remain
When friends and companions depart

14. Death nearly claimed the genius
But life pulled him back from the brink

15. His surging waters terrify
As if his mouth held venom

16. Predators flee him in dread
And clouds recoil in fear

17. Wild beasts die at his banks
And wolves perish in his depths

18. He sees generations drown within
As if their masses were mere insects

19. Would that death had spared him
A leader unlike any other

20. In his mouth a soft eloquence flows
Sweetening his breath though life be bitter

21. In his hand a scented reed
As if its ink were molten gold

22. Prince of poetry, grant me your voice
To soothe my soul or end the ode

23. I saw you as death filled my eyes
And yours held a restless gleam

24. I returned and each departing soul
Wailed while every winged omen took flight

25. I see the world as graves
And mortality spilling upon the people of eloquence

26. I met you at your prime and now I see
My cure near when you welcome me

27. If friendship leaves no rancor
Then parting breeds no estrangement

28. You were the pinnacle of art's youth
But your beauty faded as youth left

29. I saw some shun your words
While others sought and relished them

30. Yours were flawless throughout
Does revelation meet with reproach?

31. Your gift was to eloquently depict
And the eloquent attain eternity

32. I've not seen one who strove
Denied reward or recompense

33. You drank of life cup after cup
But cups and wine do not last

34. The drink of death - how did it taste?
What secrets lie beyond the veil?

35. Describe it if you can and tell
Is the cup sweet or bitter to sip?

36. I knew you as the greatest poet
Honest when liars warp the truth

37. Dirges will mourn you in their odes
And soft laments will weep for you

38. The world will cry your name
And you will endure when all else fades

39. All who seek your wisdom harbour
And dwell in its welcoming abode

40. Some gain from your insights
While others grasp and learn

41. The wisdom that excels all
That searching and learning can attain

42. Your virtuous nature unlocked
Vast mansions and halls

43. When you sang the gardens fluttered
And poets clapped around you

44. You diffused sweet fragrance eternally
And the exalted lived in goodness and joy

45. The goodness of life is tainted
But eternity is free of all bitter draughts

46. My brothers depart but I remain
Asking where they've gone and hid

47. Their worries weighed me down until
Hardships and trials abounded

48. They laid down their burdens and found peace
While people heap blame upon me

49. I will guard it though maligned
By people who would destroy if unveiled

50. In our people is the purest manners
In others but dregs and coarseness

51. The pillars of poetry are impassioned hearts
Cultured and eloquent tongues

52. I refuse to let the living forget
One who impacted both worlds and was untouched

53. His odes strike their mark, he cares not
If passion reached its limits or targets

54. We aid the displaced if called
But no aid comes when we call kin

55. God's decree took you Abu Ali
And the world turns over its people

56. As for our companions now departed
Their return brought life to these lands

57. If the valleys of Damascus drew near
How the highlands of Lebanon would tremble

58. They are the loving ones, young and worldly
And in youth and the world they find meaning

59. They are eagles who take flight and delight
While we weep when wearied and burdened

60. Endless thanks we owe
Repaying dues though accounts overflow