1. The world is but a mirage
Its hopes are but a delusion

2. Whenever I think of this life
I become perplexed, O Tulani

3. Things occur to me and conflict arises in my heart
I conceal the secret while being distressed and tortured in concealment

4. And if I express the secret openly I account for the expression
As if I am between my concealment and my expression in suspicion

5. And as if I am between this flood and ebb in turmoil
And as if I am in the tumultuous waves, confused and disturbed

6. And as if I am in the suspicions of the sea, doubtful and mistrustful
I wonder what is a fly on earth

7. They said its origin is dust
And dust will contain it

8. And they said it has a wing
With nails and fangs

9. Its pursuit in this life is buzzing and swooping
So if it loses a wing it moans and grieves

10. And if it bares its fang, misery and depression
Around it is tyranny, transgression and false hopes

11. And in its humbleness when it weakens, there is blasphemy and criticism
So it did not live as a fly

12. Nor did it die as a fly
But it is a human on earth, weak and dejected

13. I wonder what are the clouds in the sky
Dark, dense, piled up

14. The sun rises about to penetrate its thick fog
There emerges light through the darkness, melting

15. And the sky is forgiving and the earth ruinous
The wonders of its affairs in this world are strange

16. I wonder what is the food and drink on this earth
Desperation and hope

17. Old age and youth
And on this earth, if you wish, delusion and lies

18. And on it, if you wish, corruption and disappearance
And on it, O brother of life, misery and torment

19. And on it, if you ask, you will get the answer
And on it, if you probe, the scripture will speak to you

20. I wonder if the memories have faded and hopes of torment
And whatever this youth took pride in is gone

21. And the page of my days and the cherished era have folded
Filled with hopes and dreams and innocence and companions

22. And seekers of glory and patriotism and Arabian horses
And answered prayers and hopes fulfilled

23. I wonder if the era has passed like a mirage
And successive adversities, troubles and difficulties

24. And worries, sorrows
Certainty and suspicion

25. And wandering into the expanse of thought followed by a return
And repeated mistakes, agonizing regrets

26. Perplexed in thought when the change indicated to me
And the page of my days contained both misguided and right

27. Wondrously named, so cry
For what has passed of my state is strange