1. You were addicted to longing for its late nights of wakefulness,
So cross over the planks as one who crossed over.

2. Whenever you say, "O throne of visions show me!"
It says, "Look at me!" as if to say, "Look and you will see?!"

3. And you ascended from one sphere to another,
When you arrive, embrace it - what a splendid moon!

4. You began your journey from Chinguetti, so follow its course
Through the land, as a price for a chapter of poetry.

5. You seek a kingdom, so its sorrowful owner weeps
For Imru' al-Qais when he intended to travel.

6. And Abu Dhabi chooses you as is its custom,
A mother meeting her son after waiting so long.

7. Your lips were withered throughout the journey,
So how in mere moments did they become fruit?

8. Poetry was statues adorned,
And when criticism touched it, it became human.

9. On the ship are twenty winds,
Inclining it one moment, erect the next.

10. O sea, I cannot save them if they drown,
Nor command them if they do not obey.