1. How empty of Salma, the haunts!
Within is Dhi Qar, so very ruinous,

2. And Wasit how bare of people!
And Zat Irqiyen, swept so clean!

3. Homes of the living, when no living
Course through you, no throng,

4. And I see living there among them
Both graybeard and youth like you,

5. The sleek camel with pride has a look
As if to the onlooker a slice of the moon,

6. And smooth she-camels, every bare one
Traced to goodly steed stock.

7. Bamboo rods of the India make,
Perfected here into flutes.

8. One hears, as they while away their eve,
Song and the sound of strings.

9. Will a messenger come my way from the folk
Whose flesh dainty morsels waylay?

10. The distance makes off with them from me
When the looming mirage mocks.

11. A rider tries them, lover untried,
On the smooth back astride.

12. As though it were Asfa’ straight standing there
Taking cover in wrathful Muhaddab.

13. The wind of dawn gusts round him, and night
Resolved becomes in starless pall,

14. And he slept bent over his ribs, while the water
Was rippling in sheets.

15. As though the water upon his back
Were necklace-pearls closely strung,

16. Until at the rise of morn he brushes
Each region about, still filled with fright,

17. And gained something, then it provoked him,
A cushion-mate, well trained was she.

18. A chestnut filly tightly wound, as though
She were an ostrich in Swayib.

19. So he frolicked wildly in his lonesomeness,
Fearing evil, filled with fright,

20. Till when she said she was his ally
And time for the lecher was ripe –

21. He addressed himself to rend her veil
With unremitting and learned urge,

22. Till she went limp and let him take her
While his flanks were stained with red,

23. As though when he had won clear he were a star
Or a hidden coal grasped in the palm.

24. The clan of Dabba – no more will I
Give them to drink what the Prophet prohibited.

25. Their word is righteous, and their neighbor
A rock – no estrangement, no enmity!

26. Their fathers exalt them to high place,
And women fair of visage modest.

27. When no adulterer is among the clan,
The quarters of health are praised.

28. Oh thing, they are not – when a caller to the day
Of commotion calls them – troubled!

29. They snort with rage if there saunter into view
Some serpents from Iraq.

30. As though, when they arm themselves
With slender swords in the battle,

31. Some horse-doctor runs to tend their steeds,
Seeking payment, commissioned.

32. As though they were ‘Ad when the ignorant
Set the close-ranked squadrons to milling,

33. While wealth is not refused its rights
And the Family their share measured.

34. Would that I knew – while wishes mislead
And man hopes for the impossible –

35. Will the wildlife start at me in the forenoon
Like smallpox skin in Sarhub?

36. She mounts me, makes them envious – a smooth
Back like a palm-trunk growing leaves,

37. A shoulder widely spanned where twigs sprout
Amidst branches in built-up layers,

38. Auspicious, beloved, the bird on the right;
And the excellent steed, beloved!

39. She makes honey flow under me as
The wolf makes honey flow toward the sheep!