1. I learned to cover my head for a while
With a turban instead of shaving when my hair fell out.
١. تعمَّمتُ إحصاناً لرأسيَ بُرْهةً
من القرِّ طوراً والحرور إذا سفعْ
2. But when prolonged covering burdened me,
I switched to a cap after the turban and its coils.
٢. فلما دهى طولُ التعمُّم لمَّتي
فأزرى بها بعد الجثالة والفَرَعْ
3. I decided to wear the turban as a trick,
To hide the balding that had come over me.
٣. عزمتُ على لُبس العمامةِ حيلةً
لتستُر ما جرَّتْ عليَّ من الصَّلعْ
4. Oh what a scourge you are upon me!
Making me take refuge from your scourging.
٤. فيا لك من جانٍ عليَّ جنايةً
جعلتُ إليه من جنايته الفزعْ
5. And I was amazed that the thing which was my affliction
I made my remedy intentionally, and was amazed that it worked.
٥. وأعجِبْ بشيءٍ كان دائي جعلتُه
دوائي على عمدٍ وأعجب بأن نفعْ