1. O negligent one, enough blaming
And rectify yourself as much as you can

2. For the guardians of patience have brought it back to me
And I permitted the foolishness, but he refused

3. Except that a dove does not sing
On a desolate tree without mentioning Rebab

4. We were not entertained while the riders dismounted
On a nimble camel, the luggage became little but good

5. I took it uncovered, she brought it to me
At dusk, the heat was torture

6. As if its folds were the thorns of acacia
Above which the dew of drizzle fell for an hour

7. And a flock of virgins between two loving camps
I stripped them of their clothes in the night

8. And they said to us, "We have a near tribe, so let's beware
The eyes of their insomniacs and dogs"

9. The crawl of the cat until they made a niche
Of the night, beyond the veils of the peeking ones

10. And they are like newborn fillies, she outran them
With her first, no, lighter step

11. Divert me and I insisted with four
Silent souls, flickering with youth

12. Divert me and I busied myself until
Hearts and foreheads frowned and turned into flames

13. When the delicate smooth wrist, I touched its coolness
With my palm, playing with detention

14. And the Tamimi did not set out seeking something
Nor was riding to Iraq more important

15. But the Qatami was not seeking
The softness which the Arab left as prey