1. I was poetry flowing,
And a tune composed.
١. كنتُ شعراً منمقاً
وغناءً مدوزنا
2. I was the morn and wine,
And the evening and lily intertwined.
٢. وصباحاً وديمة
وبشاماً وسوسنا
3. My words took flight,
My heart fortified.
٣. كان حرفي محلقاً
وفؤادي محصنا
4. My song a cloud
Beneath which meaning flowered.
٤. ونشيدي غمامة
تحتها يورق السنا
5. It breathed life into pebbles
Whenever it hummed a tune,
٥. يبعث الروح في الحصى
كلما انداح دندنا
6. So passion ravaged my soul
And in tumult built its abode.
٦. فاستباح الهوى دمي
وبشطآنه بنى
7. My poems became
A vine scattering inspiration.
٧. واستحالت قصائدي
دانةٌ تبعث الوني
8. I became a destination for sorrow,
A refuge and a home.
٨. صرت للحزن قِبلة
ومطاراً وموطنا
9. For anguish found no place
Except my side as its abode.
٩. فالأسى لم يجد له
غير جنبي مسكنا
10. It's the story of creation,
Where poverty and wealth grow weary.
١٠. إنها قصة الورى
يتعب الفقر والغنى
11. How many hearts gilded in light
Have been extinguished by life's gloom.
١١. كم فؤادٍ محجل
ضوؤه قندل الدنى
12. It flew beyond its flock
Toppled and surrendered.
١٢. طار في غير سربه
فتهادى وأذعنا
13. So take me with my pain,
And accept me as I am.
١٣. فخذيني بلوعتي
واقبليني كما أنا