1. You yearned, and tears streamed from your eyes, that
The palm grove of my dwelling is now a wasteland.

2. Desolate is its home, though once a mine,
At dusk now empty, not a soul in sight,

3. Save perhaps a night jar or grunting gazelle,
Some lizard calling, crying in the night,

4. Dawn breaks but no voice answers his call
Except some curlew shrieking at first light.

5. As if no one had lived here, so one’s heart—
When absent from a home—is galled and raw.

6. Longing for the old camp, though what pained him
Were but the stone ruins, now collapsed in the sand.

7. Every night-traveling caravan passes it by—
Clouds trailing, rain just threatening to pour.

8. Some pools filled from the rain in a wash
Pebbles and boulders—the flash floods push and shove.

9. A wadi spreads through the old camp’s midst
Eyes can barely make it out.

10. Familiar at the end with the ruins
Where bold camels gather, grunting aloud.

11. Many die of grief—a crippled old camel
Whose saddle sores fester from the flies.

12. Water flows without order, wild torrents
Swift channels cut through, straight and winding both.

13. While birds founder, drowned by the deluge
Of desert rains falling hard without end.

14. The valleys grow richer the more they are filled.
But all the ravines hold only that which they can.

15. Beasts of prey crowd the banks full, yet still
The flood pours over, heedless of loss.

16. Those with much spittle take the fill of it.
All who raise their heads get covered with muck.

17. When the north winds howl, clouds mass
Raining down thick while the sky cracks and booms.

18. Lightning flashes it opens after the clouds
As God’s bow bends in the midst of its arcs.

19. The land puts on its coat of many plants
The color of flowers at dawn’s first blush.

20. The valleys recede from the torrent’s assault
And the gentlest ground is an easy grade—

21. Made of cobblestones beautified by fissures
Dew gathers, then evaporates at first light.

22. Their young, still nursing, already prey
On the teats, suckling strong without cease.

23. They protect them like something precious and dear
Shaking the rope that leads them, as if it were a spear.

24. If you wish, though, make camp in a spot for herds
With rocks and gullies that make the feetache.

25. Abstain from love for her though it pains you—
Your stomach empty as an abandoned well.

26. If you desire her, she won’t settle, refusing
The rope of every suitor who seeks her.

27. Whenever you startle her, she is afraid
Others approach her, sly suitors with greed.

28. I turned away, while the birds all around me
Undisturbed, no barrier blocking my way.

29. My camel carries saddlebags and supplies—
Prudent, highbred, quick footed, and free.

30. With a long neck, sculpted head held high
A swinging gait, swaying from side to side.

31. Her pace heavy-laden, hard to control
Her rider far back, barely in reach.

32. Her ribs show the marks of how she was bred
Scars still clear though they’ve started to heal.

33. Scars from the slaps used to train and to guide
Visible on either side.

34. Nothing left unwounded by her and her might
After she had battered them down without cease.

35. She sweats constantly, soaked to the skin
From a rutting male’s discharge that won’t scrub off.

36. She labors, breathing as heavy as shame
Bent over double, her shoulders bowed down.

37. Then she trips, legs kicked out from under
Her rump skyward, no strength left to rise.

38. When a calf strays, left on its own
She and the others are distraught.

39. How often we’ve stopped at a spring forever renewed
Sweetest water that washes away the salt.

40. I hope for gifts from the tribe of ‘Abs
I intend my praises for them, and wish them well.

41. You have removed from us the clan of Zubayr
And had another led, they would not have thrived.

42. They erode the hearts of Muslims, their dishonesty
While you stand redeemed in the eyes of God.

43. Calm, dignified—when you meet misfortune
Yet not prideful if fortune should smile upon you.

44. A towering pillar, strong and upright
Though the people rush to and fro in alarm.

45. As for Quraysh, their affairs are yours toinherit
Stopping their rabble when they’re in a rage.

46. What they neglected, you’ve preserved
Subduing them when they attack and betray.

47. The finest deeds are yours to inherit
Praise to God is gain that increases one’s profit.

48. I’ve striven in earnest, my oath is sincere
By the Lord of a servant shamed and reviled.

49. He reads the Bible, studying it closely
Fear of God piercing his heart like a spear.

50. Your son is the rightful heir to his father’s rule.
Do not let his uncle usurp what is not his claim.

51. David ruled justly. Judge as he did.
The clan of Marwan, they mean well.

52. So follow their practice, those excellent men
Do good and struggle as hard as they’ve struggled.