1. Where is my mother? A horse galloped away with her
Adorned with the full moon and the radiance of the sun

2. Time seized her and she passed over it
My ships missed her, and so did my counting and guessing

3. Oh yesterday, as it was crossing the distance
Among the ghosts of grievous days, muted

4. It passed through settlements, so I stopped it
From the nights of my youth, a thousand yesterdays

5. I recognized in it her brother coming
From the meadows of our joyful memories learned

6. And I picked in it a lonesome place
Which with its loneliness was the peak of carving

7. It said yesterday, speak of our friend
And send memories, for long absence makes one forget

8. I have been bored by his youthful folly
A leafy, soft and rosy wine cup

9. I lurked for the gazelle in his poems
An adornment of devilry, sin and sacrilege

10. Shedding the garment of chastity and piety
Wandering misguided mornings and evenings

11. Plucking beauty in his writings
From sweet lips, smooth to the touch

12. It said yesterday, and I knew him
To be pure litanies, praises and lessons

13. Worshipping God, so his pulpit
Is a radiant shrine of light and purity

14. Content in Sufism, not knowing him
Of fine silk, nor of costly fabrics

15. Yesterday laughed, ringing in the darkness
The laugh of one bereaved on her wedding night

16. And it leaned to preach to them a sermon
Most eloquent speech in the sweetest melody

17. Where is what you relate about our friend
Bare truth, no excuse for confusion

18. Godfearing, denying all that
Is not proven by certainty or senses

19. Shedding all when destitution surrenders him
In the springtime of life from innocence to guilt

20. He is - may God forgive his sins -
Mocking, depicting sickness and despair

21. He tore the veil of darkness
And my soul shone forth in the light for itself