1. For my long sorrows and grief
My heart cannot accompany me

2. Patience, my loyal friend, has betrayed
The trials it endures, yet stays serene

3. If only my eyes could change places
And view the beautiful scene

4. To relieve my weary gaze
That would've expired without its care

5. And see the charms of those
Whose love excuses my stare

6. In both worlds they left behind
Naught but my body lying bare

7. Whenever an eyelid gives me hope
To conceal what I cannot bear

8. My eyes pour down my cheeks
Yemen's cloak in cold despair

9. My sickness struggles, o my tears
To confess, yet you forbear

10. And wet my sallow cheek
Whose eyes are painted in snare

11. It left its blush and dimples
In sickly yellowish glare

12. And I see its roses red
Though innocent, how can I be fair?

13. Plundered until they resemble
What my father's Yemen once held

14. Generosity let it not own
Dew and favor for a time it shared

15. Its clouds compete in gloom
During seasons of joy it rarely spared

16. With lids that always buy
The tears of the gloomy and scared

17. And hands that show dew and flowers
Binding opposites in its care

18. For refugees seeking its shade
And foes with grudges they declare

19. When horses inherited its traits
Yearning for home flared

20. Continuing to spurn from its bounty
Not what Ali turned and shared

21. O horses if you raced
A flock white and duns

22. Were you inspired souls?
Or suckled milk since foals begun?

23. Glory was never so, explain
Neither limited nor restrained

24. You came with honor innovating
Not imitating what was gained

25. Since you assumed generosity
None could match what you obtained

26. I speak your praise not first
All before me you had trained

27. So my tongue that came to you
Only tells what my ears retained