1. He blossomed as if the smile on his face
Was the scent of fresh basil waving amidst the meadows

2. He drew his noble sword aiming for naught
But to pierce the hearts of foes with wounds that stun and stammer

3. He knew not which blush on his cheek was
The blood of his fluttering eyelids or the glow of his passionate poems

4. And with what weapon did he wound my soul
With a glance of his eyes or a spear of words that pierce me

5. And by what authority is my blood made lawful to him
By bonds of passion or by roads forbidden

6. Such is the rule of lovers, it's said, that their laws
Are opposite to all other decrees and regulations

7. Quenching with blood their burning thirst for union
And seeing the murder of self as pure and sacred

8. If only I could sip from his saliva in cups
Not of wine but of his essence that makes me whole

9. And a night to extinguish the flames within me
Where tears and songs of bliss rain supreme

10. Rise, O most noble of gazelles, to the one I seek
In whom lies my every goal and purpose

11. For I have tasted the sweetest fruits of joy
And ascended to the highest summit of felicity

12. I have culled from this age its rarest fragrance
Surpassing all musk in the horizons

13. And after an eternity of slumber my eyes awoke
To witness the beautiful works of time

14. It wasn't a garden I saw nor lover's tryst
Nor a singing maiden or an embrace from a lad

15. Nay, but the most blessed rising I saw
A rising whose like the hidden had never revealed

16. As if I beheld the majesty of Solomon
In his works of creation and command

17. Or the valor of Antar in the thick of battle
When courage and heroism were in great demand

18. Or the munificence of Hatim of Tai
Recounted through ages as legend and epic

19. Or clouds abundant with rain
Quenching the desert sands that suffer from drought

20. Or a towering flag that rises o'er the gloom
Banishing darkness and lighting the way

21. Nay, by God, I'll not be pleased if such virtues
Are claimed by men of stature and fame

22. But he who possesses such glories and grace
Earns them not by mere chance or circumstance

23. His forefathers, men of nobility and rank
Are the essence of the virtuous and Islam's host

24. They are the pinnacle of perfection, for they
Are its very essence and lofty abode

25. If you only knew, O critic unfair, who they are
You would make excuses and acknowledge my words sincere

26. By God, I'm not ignorant of their station
But you are blind, intentionally ignoring

27. Or, their manifest perfection hid by fate
So eyes and minds saw not their meaning clear

28. They are Al Haydari, Ahmad's noble kin
Exalted beings of utmost sublime status

29. For his perfection, majesty and beauty
Are rain from clouds most generous and plentiful

30. He surpasses all previous generous souls
And precedence in deeds, not years, is the noble gauge

31. Hold a moment, my inspiration's replete
Of describing your lofty qualities and measured verse

32. You've silenced me, for your virtues abound
Beyond capture, overwhelming psalmody

33. So imperfect and wanting, yet my poem comes to you
Walking shyly, fearing the critic's arrows

34. Give her respite and hear the birds in her garden
And raise her platform above all other works

35. Accept that though she falls short, yet now she stands
Among your servants, attaining some acclaim

36. Give congratulations lengthy, well and safe
Joined with happiness and peace forever shining

37. When yesterday eve graciousness appeared
He blossomed as if the smile on his face

38. Was the scent of fresh basil waving midst the meadows.