1. The mother of 'Amr came, so my heart longs
Yearning for her, enamored and eager

2. The open desert appeared between the two hills
Thronged by a caravan marching with goods

3. When an ill-omened day dawned, the wind blowing
Scattered particles of dust, fine as powder

4. And the morning shone, rising through a mirage
With aromas wafting on the camels' necks

5. Like the Sabeans heading to watering holes
As if a thread were unfurled between them, twining

6. They left the blackened hearth as if it were
Pebbles amidst barren land, desolate

7. And the two cooking pots from last year and the year before
With naught between them, not a thing

8. And from the tracks worn by the feet of children in the soil
Patterns you can see, clearly etched

9. Lo! My friend 'Umayra came with her camel, indeed
She seemed to glide effortlessly onward

10. To a forbidden, unholy place, her mount appearing
Like a arched bow whose string hums taut

11. She lets her camel wander, then head back
With precious items in their saddlebags

12. They are forbidden to settlements, only straying
To desolate plains where their flesh grows lean

13. To an arid pasture where their sheep graze
Making not a bleat, voiceless and mute

14. They stayed three days at Muhassab so
Each one eager for the broth's water

15. When they finished their rites at each ritual site
They left quickly, their anklets softly jingling

16. I brought her camel's reins but she recoiled in fear
The gazelles of her soul startled and wary

17. I calmed her with gentle words so she came nearer
As cares continued to trouble their hearts

18. Haughty, as if the rainclouds loomed over her
When the rain of the desert enclosed her, fine

19. Ignorant, as if ignorance were her nature
Scowling at the leaders, frowning askance

20. She vied in glory, with two braids flowing
Shyness slipping from her, restless and twitching

21. As if the winds of Najd were her brother
A freed slave, close to my family, dear

22. She sauntered onward with her bags as though
Strolling by a date palm bent over, bowed

23. The caravan had barely finished watering when
Her best camels raced forward, tall and elegant

24. When asked, the people said their watering place tomorrow would be
At dawn, so they hastened until they arrived

25. Of the stragglers, three fell behind so
Their shoulders hurried, pace now swift

26. And the caravan was not overtaken until
Beautiful camels strived onward, high-stepping

27. When shade brings death quickly, as if
Returning wings, fluttering in its swoop

28. For three they raced from the patched waterskins, so
Their brisk elbows nudged, gentle and kind

29. What longing lover's heart was sated
My friend, by the sweetest embrace?

30. None found more than I in the shade of an acacia grove
When dawn's companion joined me

31. Without a union with 'Umayra, I would not
Have tied her up, no, then I'd be free

32. But God willed that Mālik's pasture
Would surpass all meadows in glory

33. When the sun's heat on the road weighed heavy
It could not enjoy shade or coolness at dusk

34. No longing one found what his passions desired
My brother of lusts, with the sweetest juice

35. Guarding its shade, Creation's Master fearful
Lest the pilgrims' love for it grow excessive

36. So neither its shade one could enjoy at dawn
Nor its shelter at dusk one could savor

37. Never did I, had I made excuse with a pasture
On the road, found my way forward blocked

38. It protected all its boughs, cautious
Lest the encircling tribes grow covetous

39. So it yielded neither breadth nor length
Beyond ten and a little more cubits

40. Upon it the summer rain pools at dawn
Scattered drops on leaves dripping down

41. The plants grew so high their tips bent
While the roots held firm in the water

42. So wonderful its irrigation, so cool its shade
When the heat of day begins to diminish

43. Could I be blamed if I used a pasture as pretext
When a pasture on the road proved a boon companion?

44. It kept me safe when the road was risky
Fearing for it the pilgrims' excessive love

45. So I enjoyed neither its shade at dawn
Nor its shelter at dusk anytime

46. No longing lover who pined, heart smitten
My brother of lusts, with the sweetest drink