يا جيرةً حكم الزمان ببعدهم

يا جيرةً حكم الزمان ببعدهم

عني ويكفيني البعادُ عقابا

عني ويكفيني البعادُ عقابا

O neighbors whom time has decreed to be distant

O fate, the times have decreed their distance

from me—and separation is punishment enough for me.

From me, and distance is punishment enough

ما قلت هذا الباب سد بقربهم

ما قلت هذا الباب سد بقربهم

إلا وتفتح لي النوى أبوابا

إلا وتفتح لي النوى أبوابا

Never have I said, 'This door has been shut by their nearness,'

I did not say this door was closed by their nearness

without separation opening doors for me.

Except that longing opened doors for me