1. The dye on my temples has not faded, despite time's passage,
And the past of my life's spring remains ahead.

2. My soul is angry at the days - it refused
To replace its discontentment with acceptance.

3. When I admonish the nights, they do not respond
With a complaint, deaf like the stupor of sleep.

4. In my palm is anger - whenever the impetuous blood overflows,
It diffuses the scent of musk in its grasp.

5. Debts not fulfilled by their turns
Are paid by white clouds in sudden downpours.

6. When the branch of youth withers and you grow gray,
Do not seek to rise to glory.

7. I will travel the expanse of the earth, with a slim spear,
Seeking whom I love, or what fate has apportioned.

8. If my steps are confined by desire, spaciousness awaits,
In it, the steps of the open sands and horizon.

9. It is my way to shun water if its roads
Make it turbid, even if clear at other times.

10. I sheathe my wings over agonizing concerns,
Even if pressing adversity awakens and kindles them.

11. I am patient when the reddish spear clashes,
I panic if the ally shows his back and withdraws.

12. A glance shot me with arrows from his eyes,
So I became blind, frowning eyebrows knitted.

13. I came upon the darkness - its branches are thickets -
It signaled to me with its eyes and blinked.

14. It said to the dust at its feet, “Raise up the train,
I sense the specter of death imposing itself.”

15. But it was just the lion stalking prey,
On the foolish or not – so who dispels the gloom?

16. I fear for him the assault of the living, for they
Have set out from their valleys in the false dawn.

17. Wherever my eyelids meet, a tear flows
When the slanderer feels safe, even if he winks.

18. I ransom you, O doe of the barren valley, an udder
Prepared for the day of panic, hanging slack.

19. Do not dread the enemies - my hand
Has struck with spears, or girded itself in white swords.

20. I will strike the livers of the horses in battle
Toward the best that can be hoped for when matters rattle.

21. To the shoulder of the faith whose drink slaked me
After days embittered and confused me.

22. Magnanimous - if you seek his aid he hastens,
If you entreat he turns his cheek and winks.

23. How many turmoil under the caliphate he breached
With his views - though swords were unsheathed!

24. They reveal a day whose dawn creeps in
Like the spawn of a night pregnant with death.

25. At times when fleeing becomes dear
And keeping faith bitter and hated.

26. But resolve has sharpened - in its first vigor
A wing's rising that intended to flutter.

27. Clarify who is called and the spear bends
With it rings of mail like snakes in the fire.

28. Who has spoken until rebutting the statement, dumbfounded?
Who has charged until leaving the battlefield roused?

29. Is he then rewarded with his effort most generously?
For he loaned good conduct, and was openhanded.

30. Your glory ransoms the people - they
Are sly, plotting treachery in betrayal.

31. If old affection is fertilized, their grudges appear
Before the progeny, so it miscarries.

32. They have selves that time's shame does not make decent
Even if cloaked in splendid attire.

33. I see each one I test, being cordial,
Refuses outright villainy, only implies it.

34. What you have not tried deceives you -
As Al-Ti'i's probity deceived Hudhaifa.

35. The tribe of Anasah, with crooked furrows,
In an arid plain where no wind runs.

36. Eyes have sprouted under the placentas
For pasture - though honor rims its edges.

37. In a valley refreshing to visitors,
Bearing fruit, when one stops by it tastes sour.

38. We have led it to you - in your care it was blessed
With riches making the spring equable.

39. No longer the precedent of what tarnishes its reputation,
Nor glory satisfied to be betrayed and torn down.

40. Nor is my resolve satisfied with kissing toes
Raised in poverty, though they be soft.

41. The pillars of a lofty house -
When termites undermined it, it collapsed.

42. Were it not for you, I would not speak though able
To compose verse, nor ask, though needing bounty.

43. To you my will inclined, despite calamities,
And had been at the edge of vain desires.

44. So my affair and all affairs stretch out
To you, despite enemies, entrusted.