1. The quest for immortality is hard
Immortality is not lent to one who borrows

2. The pinnacle of art cannot be reached
And none comes near it but the patient genius

3. Raphael amazed creation, but
He could not accomplish all he wished in painting

4. Phydias carved till he confounded people
And made rocks seem to claim life

5. Then that great artist died, and not
His own shortcoming kept him from perfection

6. Homer, most ingenious of mortals
Did Homer attain all that he desired?

7. Goethe's hopes remained unfulfilled
Nor did Shakespeare achieve all he wanted

8. Did a masterwork come to fruition in France
Or did disappointment persist?

9. The great pioneers of East and West complained
Of their inadequacy though they were so many

10. None surpassed Abu Nuwas, Bashshar
Muslim and Jarir in fine poetry

11. Habib expressed some of what he intended
And the blind man sang the tunes he fancied

12. Al-Mutanabbi wrought miracles with his verse
Yet but little of what he sought was done

13. Shawqi brought a part of what he aspired to
And truthfully he was peerless in verse

14. His effort delighted him and still he strove on
Declining to allow frustration to spoil his joy

15. All fell short of their ambitions and died
Regretful on their way, distraught

16. Yet each has his place in people's affections
And each deserves respect

17. My friends, these are truths
Beyond contention, for truth is light

18. I had great hopes for my poetry
But my soaring ambitions escaped me

19. Roving in existence, I ask inspiration
As the destitute asks the wealthy

20. I have drive and determination
Yet my will is frail and my means meager

21. They honor me, but I'm not greater than myself
For in art I'm a minor beneficiary

22. Above my verse is finer verse, and beyond
The best poetry lies what the Almighty has decreed

23. No poet's heart should be grudged his brother
Excellence abhors constricted hearts

24. The heavens, if you observe them
Have countless suns and moons

25. Every orb ascends to become a star
Small though its sphere, revolving

26. The stars that shine and disappear
Are but motes, infinity allows no limits

27. That is the highest of glory's goals
Unattainable by pretender and deluded

28. What wonders I've seen in my time
Fledglings screeching, unable to fly

29. Spare me the empty boasts
Of the arrogant quoting their verses, proud

30. And attributes advertised to beat
The resounding drums and blare of trumpets

31. Excellence scorns repetitive claptrap
And bogus claims of artistry, pure fraud

32. In glory they gained a status
Imposed arbitrarily, no conscience bore witness

33. Popular opinion is no measure here
For crowds can often be misled

34. Ask the doyens of verse who gave
Renown to this recent age of ours

35. Did Mahmoud, did Hafez Ibrahim
Match those eminent in poetry?

36. Of the Arabs none surpassed Imru' al-Qais
Or rivaled Jarir in excellence

37. Return, return to the art
Wherein lie balance and respect

38. This honor is for art, not for me
And you have nobly sought the greater goal

39. I am scarcely deserving of your gift
Though it be far above my modest merit

40. Such are my words, and this does not diminish
My gratitude, for you know I'm thankful

41. Only I fear exceeding my status
A weakness, but is there an excuse?

42. This statue, O you who raised it
Rewards the little with the great

43. A generosity from you, and ever the right
Of the magnanimous to act magnanimously