جاء بلَوْزٍ أخضرِ

جاء بلَوْزٍ أخضرِ

أصغرُهُ مِلْءُ اليدِ

أصغرُهُ مِلْءُ اليدِ

He came bearing green almonds,

He came with green almonds;

the smallest of them filling a palm;

the smallest of them fills the hand.

كأنما زِئْبِرُه

كأنما زِئْبِرُه

نَبْتُ عِذارِ الأمردِ

نَبْتُ عِذارِ الأمردِ

as though their soft fuzz were

As though their down

down sprouting on a beardless youth’s cheek;

were the budding cheek-hair of a beardless youth.

كأنما قلوبه

كأنما قلوبه

من تَوْءَمٍ ومفرد

من تَوْءَمٍ ومفرد

as though their kernels,

As though their hearts,

whether twin or single,

whether twin or single,

جواهرٌ لكنما ال

جواهرٌ لكنما ال

أصدفُ من زبرجدِ

أصدفُ من زبرجدِ

were jewels—but their

were jewels—but the

shells were of chrysolite.

shells are of emerald.