1. Dwellings of verses that no longer recite,
And a dwelling of intimacy bare of girls.

2. I stood in it summoning the past quarter -
Gloomy.. hearing naught but sighs!

3. So I said: "Why so desolate, O quarter..
So woeful! I see naught but tears."

4. It said not a word.. but donned
An eloquent silence, cryptic intonations!

5. By God, its silence was more audible to all
Than a rising voice or whispered words.

6. I once had a tribe, now travelers departed,
Leaving an echo plunging into darkness.

7. No joys have I fully savored..
No sweet laughter left to me.

8. Sorrow has hurt me since their loss.
Misery befell me, from estrangement and diaspora.

9. How could it not.. when they were my pride, my vigor,
And I was with them at the highest ranks.

10. Foes fear the sharpness of their onslaught
And avoid their injustice and harm.

11. Every wretched weakling runs to their plains,
Finding a lush oasis, a sheltering tree.

12. There he tastes provision and shade, and drinks
Sweet water quenching the embers within.

13. They left me forever.. nothing remains
Except remnants and scraps of the past.

14. Do you wonder at my tears and pining
For that bygone era, at my regrets?

15. I said: "O quarter, I blame no one.
But I grieve for the loss of my canal."

16. For without you, I'm but a glimpse that frightens me -
A meadow that tomorrow becomes a wasteland.

17. The sweet turned salty after flowing
Clear as the Nile, smooth as Euphrates.

18. It slopes and blossoms with stress.. but where are they?!
For life tastes bitter without heroes around.

19. No life feels good sheltered in its darkness,
No light shines but from the suns of defenders!

20. And now slumber takes him away from sublime heights..
Will he wake after a lengthy hibernation?!

21. To ride the steep noble summit without fear
Of wicked bandits arriving to spoil and plunder.

22. Our ancestors were glorious..
But never arrogant because of their glory!

23. Others reaped the harvest of their blood and sweat,
Seizing the spoils of their swords and steeds!

24. Men found no safety in their company,
Nor did the plains grow fertile under their shepherds.

25. But they made the land prosper without tyranny,
Seeking no reward for the sweetest fruits.

26. So crops were bountiful, people delighted in plenty,
And mountain slopes flourished like plateaus!

27. What a difference between the two camps - one virtuous,
The other misguided, stumbling in its steps!

28. The sorrowful quarter stared at me with a look
Overflowing with grief beyond any lexicon..

29. And said: "You have abandoned and deserted me..
Leaving me to welcome in years alone!"

30. We both seek what is good - I'm not despairing,
Nor you an herald of some coming promise!

31. Your complaints help you not without an answering echo;
Just as my cries are no use to you!

32. I shall wait calmly for an awakening
That pours sweet water to quench my thirst.

33. Events have left it dry like faint wisps..
Meeting no kindness from passerby humans.

34. May we see the future bring renewed life -
Invigorating the plains as before!

35. O youth who have pleased my inner depths,
Delighting my soul.. the best of youngsters!

36. You have stirred my deepest feelings and inspired me.
You have awakened me from a deep slumber.