ذَكَّرتُهُم وَالنَوى بَيني وَبَينَهُمُ

ذَكَّرتُهُم وَالنَوى بَيني وَبَينَهُمُ

ذِكرى الشَبابِ الَّذي قَد كانَ عاصاني

ذِكرى الشَبابِ الَّذي قَد كانَ عاصاني

I reminded them, while separation lay between me and them,

I reminded them, though fate stood between us,

of the memory of youth that had once defied me.

Of the rebellious days of my youth,

بَل كَيفَ أَذكُرُ عَهداً لَستُ ناسِيَهُ

بَل كَيفَ أَذكُرُ عَهداً لَستُ ناسِيَهُ

هَل يَعرُضُ الذِكرُ إِلّا بَعدَ نِسيانِ

هَل يَعرُضُ الذِكرُ إِلّا بَعدَ نِسيانِ

Yet how can I recall a time I have not forgotten?

How can I remember days I've not forgotten?

Does remembrance arise except after forgetting?

Does memory return except after oblivion?