1. My dear friends, distance has cured me,
And after your nearness, nothing equals healing me.

2. I trusted you with the essence of affection—how could it
Become clouded after purity and promises be broken?

3. Oh my misfortune that you abandoned me,
And oh, the long night when only stars converse!

4. And from life's sorrows the free soul sees
A friend not loyal, and affection not lasting.

5. Yet, he finds—despite himself—an enemy
Whose friendship he never sought.

6. He goes and comes, hating to meet him,
While the other is unmoving, neither coming nor going,

7. And avoids him as much as he can, wary,
While days and time bring distress piled on distress.

8. But praise be—from those we love we see no evil,
And would that time be not harsh toward us,

9. That we hear what we like not from those who hate us
And see what we desire not—so for that, praise be.

10. But such is fate—it flows as it wills,
So for one there is nearness, and for another, distance.

11. One has company with whom he became distracted,
While another's friends are mere beasts, if counted.

12. So, O heart tried, be patient,
And do not despair—for to all calamities there is an end.

13. One day is blissful, one day sorrowful,
And in great straits, seriousness is employed.

14. And soon you may attain felicity
If you remain determined and effort is directed.

15. Not every oppressed remains persecuted
Nor does everyone determined err from his aim.

16. There is no heroism except for the resolute,
And no despair except for those resigned.

17. And how can dissatisfaction await satisfaction?
However high the ebb, it is followed by a tide.

18. The heavens are always guided by the Highest,
With no other orientation below to block its course.

19. Especially if you seek Ahmad,
There, effort is followed by success and glory.

20. Noble, with a spring of virtues,
Where the clouds poured forth when the rose admonished.

21. It becomes a meadow of the bounty of his favor,
Where the boon of his beauty blooms.

22. Encircled by the walls of bliss, towering,
Where the songbirds of Yemen trill melodiously within.

23. So all heights beyond his are delusion,
And all buildings beyond his are facades.

24. He is the full moon, but perfection accompanies him,
He is the star—his mansions of fortune are auspicious.

25. His nature gives life, like the soul,
And his grace and taste from which honey drips.

26. The elegance of his mind is unmatched by any I know,
So your words are known to him before being uttered.

27. The heights are enamored of him and give him their jewels,
So priceless pearls encircle his neck.

28. The eye of Providence looks upon him with joy,
And safety is his cradle, night and day.

29. Have you not seen victory under his feet,
A banner raised high over the tower of triumph?

30. And in every assembly, his sweet name is mentioned,
And in every valley, praise of him still resounds.

31. So, reproacher of my love and praise of him,
Refrain—I cannot renounce them.

32. God willed that I be his loving servant,
So my cheek is his and my poem is his captive.

33. And He makes me praise his good graces,
Favors upon me flow, too many to be counted.

34. What can I offer in praising him?
His origin is pearls and his essence sublime.

35. Convey my greetings to him, O breeze,
For which my soul yearns and which jealousy resents.

36. Leave mention of my longings lest they overwhelm him,
And keep what is in my heart within my heart intensified.