إذا ما شال شَوَّالٌ عكفنا

إذا ما شال شَوَّالٌ عكفنا

على زقِّ وباطية رزومِ

على زقِّ وباطية رزومِ

When Shawwal dawns, we devote ourselves

When Shawwal rises, we devote ourselves

When Shawwal departs, we incline

to a wineskin and a ponderous vat.

to a wineskin and a massive wine bowl.

Toward empty bottles and inscriptions.

وإن همٌ أطافَ بنا عركنا

وإن همٌ أطافَ بنا عركنا

بأيدي الكأس آذان الهمومِ

بأيدي الكأس آذان الهمومِ

And if some care encircles us, we twist

And if a worry circles around us, we twist

And if worries circle round us, we fend them off

the ears of care with the cup’s own hands.

the ears of worries with the cup’s hands.

With cups in hand, deaf to their murmurs.