1. When the rhyme smiles,
A heart flutters and a mouth sings for it,

2. And the nights narrate its tale—
A tale the morning breeze hums along to.

3. Oh, how beautiful poetry and passion are,
Two companions for lovers, balm and wound.

4. Nothing nourishes poetry like passion—
Should passion dry up, poetry withers.

5. And nothing describes passion like poetry—
Subtleties lovers express and conceal.

6. Poetry is like women, created
To be gentle, defiant, cruel, and kind.

7. When generous, its sweet water flows freely,
When stingy, even halal words are forbidden.

8. Its meaning races its charming words—
Obscure when it cannot describe.

9. It captivated my being, essence, and image,
Bewitching me like passion bewitches the lovesick.

10. The scent of rhyme intoxicates me,
Making me drunk, though mindful and aware.

11. I took shade in poetry after its departure,
After sorrow had nearly taken hold,

12. After it shared my sleeplessness and worries,
And I tamed its wild, unruly ways.

13. It looked upon my soul cherished,
So I honored it, O most generous!

14. And gifted it the pearls of its words,
Wronging no description or inspiration.

15. My hand of candor never toyed with prohibitions,
But the arrow of truth wounds all sham.

16. I protected poetry’s integrity from deficient gratitude,
Honoring it beyond any ingrate’s scorn.

17. I swear had I forced upon it thanks unwillingly,
And it obeyed, I would reject what I know to be true.

18. Its words never taught me insincerity,
Even if no coins were left in my palm.

19. It expresses according to the degree of passion—
Singing and composing only for love.

20. I said this only for one deserving,
A beloved, or generous, revered one.

21. Had it not been for poetry’s steeds,
It would not have immortalized the clamor of those who meet death and march on.

22. Had it not been for poetry’s steeds,
It would not have immortalized the dew of those who agony yet are serene.

23. Had it not been for poetry’s steeds,
It would not have immortalized passions—

24. The tales of those who pined, craved, and yearned,
Whose kingdoms and riches remain while all else perishes and crumbles.