1. What stirred you today of ruins and traces
Some are clear, some covered in dust

2. Between Sanam, Hudhmah, and Thu Baqar
As if they are pages scribbled by a reader

3. A home for Qailah when my heart was occupied with her
Its dwellings weakened after circumstances

4. Sheep walk through it while the eye pries
Upon graceful gazelles surrounded by young

5. I lingered there, sad without relief
My worries spilled my tears - what outpouring!

6. Its bridge flanked by joined mountains
Like bundles of straws piled up

7. A rugged hill turned white at its peaks
From the voice of rain, the ground clattering

8. In the morning it marches on arid shrubs, their blossoms
As if their rustling is the rustling of orphans

9. Or it calls in the sand of Wāqiṣah’s valley
Among pebbles like pieces of porcelain

10. Blood dyed its ankles from the gushing veins
Beside my cheek, bundles of lilies

11. Summer heat storms blew over it, scorching
As July held back its water

12. Except for the salicornia that ceaselessly digs
Into towering barren heights, shaded

13. As green as the robes of sun-scorched ruins
Or algae at the peaks of crumbling rocks

14. Like an ill-omened planet in its crest
Or a Persian whose armor it crushed

15. So it challenged you with a hole in its side
Piercing the brain with spears and miles

16. Caravans cry "Detour from its path!"
And avoid it, not deviating from the right way

17. If you turn away and tease us with your gifts
Then join me if you join the likes of me

18. I am patient with what comes my way, confessing
I maneuver events from one state to another

19. I aspire to the glory of ancestors, their number
Humbling, making truth everlasting

20. Upholding a matter none can uphold
Except them, bearing heavy loads

21. Feeding when the north wind blows
Scattering husks, the useless gone

22. A watchful herd, gaining no comfort from
The lenient except the lonely empty one

23. They trained him to lead every fiery mare
Galloping on Thursday - excellent hazel eyes!

24. Pulling caravans in the rope of floods, like
The sturdy camel whose strap is precious