1. يومٌ كأن سحابه

    لبست عمامي المصامت

    A day whose clouds seem

    to have donned my plain-colored turbans;

  2. حُجبت به شمس الضحى

    بمثالِ أجنحة الفواخت

    on that day, the midmorning sun was veiled

    by shapes like ringdoves’ wings.

  3. فالغيث يبكي فقدَها

    والبرقُ يضحكُ مثلَ شامِت

    So the rain weeps for her loss,

    and lightning laughs like one who gloats;

  4. والرعدُ يخطُب مُفصحاً

    والجوُّ كالمحزون ساكت

    and thunder orates eloquently,

    and the sky, like one grieving, is silent.

  5. والروض يسقيه الحيا

    والنورُ ينظرُ مثل باهت

    And the garden is watered by the rain,

    and the blossoms gaze like one bewildered.

  6. فاشرب ولَذَّ بجنَّةٍ

    واطرَب فإننَّ العمرَ فائت

    So drink, and delight in a garden,

    and rejoice, for life is passing.