1. A heart yearning for those open spaces
And an eye towards that gentle side aspiring

2. Damascus still enlivening its meadows
And enticing upon those slopes, slopes alluring

3. So many a pasture for the gazelle therein
And a vast meadow for caravans galore

4. Abodes erected for all noble deeds
While the plains before them recede and withdrawal

5. On every branch a saj’ing dove lamenting
To revive the dead with worries so dire

6. And on each face a radiance from its features
Revealing beauty of patience, though ugly in appearance

7. And in each club one made joyous by its discourse
A companion generous or singer melodious and sweet

8. No finer living than one whose cup contested
By a charming companion or cheeky intruder

9. The liveliest brows dripping with life
The gentlest hands overflowing with generosity

10. The kindest eyelids when coming close
Whispering their secrets in song pouring forth

11. Conversing with the clouds through his eyes cooing
Imparting inspiration to the valley to wander and rove

12. Loveliest - his glance is forbidden
While his cheek is freely accessible

13. When the rain enlivens its gardens and places
A flower smiles or emits a subtle breath

14. And distracts you from sipping the wine bitter taste
With a clear nectar smooth as silk it gently flows

15. And the twilight yearns for eternity when the red sun rises
The doves of the river banks cries and weeps

16. When the north winds spread their trains
Musk permeates the gardens issuing forth

17. Where the grieved find relief and the chained vigour
The worried find joy and the despondent inspiration

18. Watering them the valleys whose softest breeze
Exhilarated, even the languid winds rejuvenated

19. I recalled it, and living in and around it
An ostrich wandering upright with determination and certainty

20. So for it an eye overflowed with recollection of times passed
Poured out like libations by those who remain

21. And the wounds of longing oozed out and ignited
Wings once happy now all turned to wounds

22. Nothing left but that it was after intimacy
And not uncommon for the maimed to lament

23. May He who revives souls rule a return
Where a heart can rest and a soul feel relief

24. I recalled there an abode whose people the calamities
Its cheerfulness called away from it, companions pushed out

25. Courtyards that lost their inhabitant glory
Their happiness lasting, their humanity manifest

26. As if the lions there had no domain
And the dew no plains it frequented, welfare diffuse

27. Rather they were for visitors elevated sanctuaries
To which those who seek merge and plunge

28. As if generosity there was never lasting
Nor greed, once slaughtered, existed at all

29. Nor did every glance plot and scheme
With a lineage growing into it, proved and verified

30. If the wind blew it askance and fell short
Veering away, though harnessed and tamed

31. They sought the heights before me and my passion confined me
Can a journey ever reach its goal, exhausted and fatigue?

32. And an inimical fate drove me away from it
A spiteful time, sparing of honours, so very tightfisted

33. Yet no shame that I remain, my quest eluded
By a time disregarding the honourable wishes

34. I saw its days and so turned my face from them
Blessed are they, given respite and left barren

35. I eschewed them with asceticism, devoutness, and chastity
And the view to shun the settled, rescued and saved

36. You counselled me to make none but the ascetic my companion
Lest he disgrace me while the expert provides advice

37. Place no hope in the favours of fate
For it is vile while lowliness's favour is but wind

38. They sought the heights before me and passion confined me
Can a journey ever reach its goal, exhausted and fatigued?

39. And an inimical fate drove me away from it
A spiteful time, sparing of honours, so very tightfisted