1. However you portray it, let it be
I am content without people's portrayals

2. I care not for those who find fault or praise
In my conscience is what satisfies me

3. I'm no lifeless being: I'm a poet
Whose soul's tremor shows in my body

4. My habit is to portray what's in my mind
And I'm inclined towards this habit

5. I suffer for my frank tongue
Despite feeling – a harsh life

6. Yet what elevates my poem
Is it being from your disgruntled opponent

7. From a lad whose stance towards you
Yesterday exposed him to diverse tribulations

8. It being from a discarded poet
And a fair, tested thinker

9. Leaving what's near, though it suits him
Seeking refuge in the Imam of Yemen!

10. So if it didn't diminish me, I'd be a man
Working in a mine in Aden

11. It's dearer to me than a homeland
Which I'm in constant distress from

12. I approve what I don't see
And see what's not approvable

13. O Abu Adnan, this is a chance
For a heart embittered by harm

14. I don't flatter you: but I'm a lad
Who seeks the truth even in my shroud

15. History and God both witness
You're the treasure of this nation

16. Knowing its ills, informed
Of its secrets: cutting off strife

17. In you - if not for an ignorant nation
Suspecting you of being “Mussolini”

18. A hero - if trials happened and heroes
Were scarce during trials

19. And an outspoken, sharp-tongued lad
In need of an outspoken, sharp tongue

20. You shone clearly while all
Walked under a darker mask

21. With mighty, expansive strides
And a balanced, reasonable mind

22. When all people disguised themselves
Like a sly lizard in hiding

23. The hand that once filled
A person's eyes now fills the ears

24. It crushed the boastful frauds, a lad
Who wasn't soft in crushing them

25. And its impact was heavy on fools
Who in stupidity pay no heed

26. And I see them as a power they never found
In a temple or idol

27. They didn't see in it - as in others
Their own panderers or addicted

28. He wasn't weak in seizing them
Seizing violently or bent

29. Do you think any germ was safe
From his grip and survived?

30. The envious resented that they couldn't
Reach the rank of one walking straight

31. Firm in the matter, proud of it
And trusted in managing it

32. If his palm could's grasped a chance
He would've led them all in skill

33. Testify, O lady of poetry, and O
State of truth, bless me

34. That if the fruits of victory find me
Through the path of vileness, they don't please me

35. Base is one who opposes his foe
Through a path of sly cunning

36. I desire that even if in a dream
I take charge for the briefest time

37. My passion would truly ignite
That this is a time that hasn't weakened

38. Give me command, even for an hour
I'll come with what hasn't existed

39. I'll show you where the bribe-taker is
I'll show you the fate of the wicked

40. I'll show the worth of words which
The liar wears the garb of patriotism

41. Coming in secret unsuitable
For what he brings openly

42. I'll show you I have no worth
Except what my nature obliges me

43. I'll show you that the one you fear
Isn't one you'd mourn if he perished

44. O Abu Adnan – this is the duty of pure
Candid, explicit manners

45. I have omitted in noting it
All the ideas in my mind

46. And you know what harm befalls me
From broadcasting this passion

47. Yet I find in the likes of it
The ecstasy of a lover enthralled

48. It's shameful for a poet to
Seek refuge in his poem from weakness