1. The affection between Harun and Musa, son of his mother,
Is like the affection between me and my Qasim.

2. When Syria kept him away from me and deprived
My country - oh time of separation and agony!

3. I sent him a message in verse
Expressing what was in my heart and mind,

4. Which my innermost self addressed
And my hand of longing wrote through falling tears.

5. If only the paper knew what was in its folds,
It would have complained and cried, but it does not know.