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, while separation lay between me and them,

of the memory of youth, which had already defied me.

of the youth that had defied me.

بَل كَيفَ أَذكُرُ عَهداً لَستُ ناسِيَهُ

بَل كَيفَ أَذكُرُ عَهداً لَستُ ناسِيَهُ

هَل يَعرُضُ الذِكرُ إِلّا بَعدَ نِسيانِ

هَل يَعرُضُ الذِكرُ إِلّا بَعدَ نِسيانِ

But how can I remember an era I have not forgotten?

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

Does remembrance arise except after forgetting?

Does remembrance arise except after forgetting?