1. Behold the ruins, where beauties once dwelled,
Whose remnants seem like lines of scripture spelled,

2. Effaced by time, that eternal Jew,
And the Koran, where verses divine allure,

3. The home, which said: “If you visit we’d be blessed!”
But you came not, though sorely we implored.

4. I said: “Your people suspect and accuse me wrongfully,
And I knew that you were already wed.”

5. You turned away and estrangement came between,
Though to one like you I am passionately stirred,

6. I grieved for you, O Umm ‘Uthman return to me,
What I entrusted you, no usurer could hoard!

7. Modesty prevented the pleasures of youth I knew,
One such as I is bound by modesty’s sword.

8. Would that I had died when first we drank from the cup
Offered by a tribesman, a fate I concur,

9. Those bygone days, two years of privation,
For them eternally shall I be stirred,

10. When the hair turned white, that raven hue it shed,
And wings of youth lost feathers once demure.

11. When I enjoyed the company of maids,
And the intimate thoughts of them I inferred.

12. But they turned away disdainfully, as if
I never shared confidences with them before.

13. O Umm ‘Uthman, you came one night unannounced,
When all were asleep and coals turning obscure.

14. You roused my companions, till in fright they rose,
Parted from their beds, their wits bemused.

15. Far from their soft beds you drove them to the waste,
To a reckless death, of quick decay the cure.

16. They halted not, nor reached the lands they sought,
Nor was the night, that ended their adventure, short.

17. I said: “Greetings, friend, who crossed the wilderness,
Where no traveller goes, paths unsure.”

18. You did not smile, nor walk with pride, as if,
Meekness filled you, pride you abjure.

19. Some folly brought you, which deceived at dawn,
Eyes that never close, watching secure.

20. You are not the Umm ‘Uthman I loved, whose traces
Remain in verse, that shall for her endure.

21. An Iraqi, who never sang, nor sold
Her wares, yet you surpassed the singers demure.

22. We passed the morn wretchedly. Our dwelling,
Straw and feathers underneath us poor.

23. We lived as though a strumpet Lagheema led us,
Who to us by camel train she did allure,

24. Bought by scoundrels with their war booty for the likes of her,
Profiting by her, though the risk unsure.

25. When they gained her, it was counted as a prize,
Bold in seeking fortune, confident and sure.

26. He took her to Iraq, as if empowered,
To command the people like some prince mature.

27. It was said: “Congratulations on this prize!”
Easy for God, the Provider of all creatures.

28. He spared no expense, till the streets all filled,
With gifts for her and homes secure.

29. My companions wandered lost through the waste,
Necks adorned with gifts andburdens they endure.

30. Their feet bloody, bodies gaunt and famished,
They seemed reeds, which the wind buffets obscure.

31. Some force sustained them, though exhaustion and defeat
Were borne by them, they restless and demure.

32. Bandits pursued them, villains of the waste,
Whose only wealth sharp swords which death incur.

33. You see them charge, as their leader urges,
A hateful wretch, inflicting harm assured.

34. His snub nose sniffs the air, atop it,
A nose ring gleams, though dust obscures the lure.

35. On his yellow cheeks dark moles are dotted,
Which serve as guide when there are no roads sure.

36. A she-camel he rides, old and feeble,
Its body spare, its frame weak and immure.

37. If he’s away, or comes not one day,
His bitch will seek him, whenever night obscure.

38. Once darkness lifts its veil at first light,
And morning comes, its air so fresh and pure,

39. A worried look upon his face engraved,
As if both eyes weep and cares endure,

40. The winds buffet him, as one whose ruin,
Is sealed, though the causes remain obscure.

41. And wild dogs hound him, for prey they crave,
Wretched fate for him, whose means unsure.

42. No food or drink, his robes in tatters.
No scent or perfume his hardened limbs allure.

43. His woman, though past forty, still unweaned,
Childish in her years, though old and demure.

44. Her arms like an ostrich’s, face devoid of moisture,
Dry as a stone, where water cannot endure.

45. Her lips are parched, her thirst never sated,
She craves to drink, and food in plenty secure.

46. If he’s not there, she roams in the morning,
With her hounds, who bound when the sun is obscure.

47. When darkness cleared before the glow of dawn,
She leapt up and about her neck ropes secure.

48. When the wretch saw them, though their shapes but specks,
He saw them glow, brighter than the light pure.

49. With promises he tried to divert them, as if
Winged creatures flying to him they’d allure.

50. He shunned their tricks and cunning feminine wiles,
Serpents inside, though outside chaste and demure.

51. They pulled him toward them, till he knew not which way to turn,
Surrounding him, wherever he moved unsure.

52. He shields his nakedness, protecting his honor,
As the Lord protects him, Compassionate and Sure.

53. He struggles and fights them with kicks and blows,
Seeking escape, though trapped in their allure.

54. Unwilling is he, though they circle around,
Bewildered in their midst, his steps obscure.

55. He flees their clutches, when chance avails,
Plunging and hiding in the empty wilderness.

56. While they who resemble she, whom long ago,
Slept on soft beds of feathers and silk secure,

57. Were saved through the worked of a devout elder,
Blessed in his striving and waking while most sleep.

58. A virtuous man who could not betray a trust,
And whose integrity no ruler could obscure.

59. I cried for help and struck them twixt their shoulders,
A blow that rang loudly so all could hear.