1. False hope lies; no beloved returns
Sleep soon claims me, O Salma

2. O grief, O aching heart, O streaming eyes
Our dreams are dashed and hopes are spent

3. O mother of my heart, love's embers burn
O hearth where flames of passion yearn

4. Tears course down my cheeks though eyes are dry
Deeper pain wracks lungs with sob and sigh

5. Eyes cannot betray depth of hurt inside
Nor ribs contain the torment they do hide

6. I said to self that hope would bring relief
But losing hope brings greater, deeper grief

7. You were the stars lighting my darkest night
Then came the clouds obscuring all your light

8. Mother I've tried both tears and their opposite
But nothing helps, no act brings benefit

9. They say he wed in hopes of wealth and fame
Her riches raise men's status and their name

10. This news on hearing my hopes were torn
Each evening, daybreak, I felt so forlorn

11. It's not he married that brings me such pain
May he have one wife, or marry again!

12. But knowing we're thus parted, remote, estranged
My heart is breaking, my soul deranged

13. Where can I go when you are absent, say
The home's a ruin since you went away

14. I've suffered hurts that have tormented me
I've heard words that have wounded mortally

15. Salma was once a maiden fancy-free
Born to wealth, nobility, pedigree

16. Her father spent a fortune on her rearing
She flowered to adulthood without fearing

17. A beauty of surpassing, perfect grace
Youth's glow lit up her moon-bright face

18. Cheeks like spring's blossoms, languid eyes so bright
She revelled in riches, lived in delight

19. Mother's affection nurtured her growth
Father's devotion sheltered them both

20. She loved flowers and they loved her back
But gone are days of affection—alack!

21. Najeeb wooed her, a rascal, a pretender
With handsome looks designed to upend her

22. He ogled her from his low window
She watched for him from her house, bent low

23. Till both were snared in romance's maze
And neither could see the deception's ways

24. Najeeb lied that her beauty had smit
His heart with passion he could not quit

25. Months passed with growing ardour between
He ardently courted, she drank his words in

26. When mother discerned her unwavering heart
Preferred this suitor, she feared they would part

27. So reluctantly she agreed to the match
Despite misgivings and efforts to snatch

28. Her away, knowing he was a cad
Who would betray her, deceive her, go bad

29. Three years passed while he squandered her riches
Lavishing money on wine and on *****es

30. Till all her money was gone, her home stripped bare
Each stick of furniture sold off in despair

31. Then Najeeb said, My darling, my pet
I'm afraid things are not as I'd hoped to get

32. So I've decided to journey to Furooq town
Where with luck I'll gain money, position and renown

33. Salma wept and implored him to reflect
But Najeeb's mind towards leaving was set

34. While Salma pleaded with him there and stayed
Najeeb dismissed her protests and obeyed

35. His resolve to desert her and go
While grief-stricken Salma continued her woe

36. My love don't be anxious about my departure
I'll return to you soon, do not harbour

37. Dark thoughts, but be cheerful and gay
I'll be back in a couple of months, can't delay

38. He left, two years passed but no letter came
To dispel depression, ease sorrow and shame

39. One day Salma collapsed by her mother in a heap
Sobbing hopelessly, wailing, unable to sleep

40. The parting's savage torments raked her soul
Her heart was shattered, wrecked beyond control

41. Grief weighed upon her heart like a massive stone
Nearly cracking her ribs, making her moan

42. And mother sat by her, soothing her gently
When a sudden knock came urgently

43. Mother rushed hoping for some happy tiding
Salma too jumped up, both felt hope rising

44. A mailman handed them a letter, no name showing
Their hearts pounded, both fearing yet knowing

45. Salma opened it hastily, read it aloud weeping
Then cried, He's divorced me! What's left for me?

46. Mother he's freed me! What can I do?
Mother don't shun me, my end is near too

47. Mother inside me burns tormenting pain
Mother my heart is gripped by anguish insane

48. I feel my spirit's lamp is guttering out
My heart is breaking open, wracked by doubt

49. My flesh, skin, nerves are all in sudden revolt
My bones ache, mother, as fiery pain bolts

50. Like flowers I nurtured hopes within my heart
My soul thrived on dreams that now depart

51. Lost in a tempest's fury, heavens at war
Hopes are annihilated, can't be no more

52. That betrayer mocks our lost intimacy
And scorns our broken bonds of amity

53. I grieve for lost youth spent in futile chase
Of a disloyal love, a liar's embrace

54. I grieve for days now marred andoria
And a life nevermore again to be

55. O Death 'tis you I seek at last for comfort
From life's terrors you're the only resort

56. Come, O Death, come, O Death, come, Death come!
Without you I can find no healing balm

57. O Death my heart says your vast dominion
Offers greater solace than this prison

58. Of endless grief and days devoid of peace
Where suffering stagnates and will not cease