1. O night that passed so sweetly for us
Adorned by Sheikh Abou Murrah

2. With branches, with the full moon, with morning’s sun
With sandgrouse, with pearls, with seeds of pearl

3. With languid eyes, with one whose saliva
Intoxicated until the wine itself was drunk

4. He came furtively, concealed
Until we saw his face openly

5. He came to me for a purpose
In my darkest hour of need

6. How many kisses we planted on him!
How many full moons we scattered over him!

7. I opened my heart’s door in love for him
And from me wafted to him soft sighs

8. My face was never separate from his face
From early night until dawn

9. In drunkenness followed by wakefulness
And wakefulness followed by drunkenness

10. I arrange my veil but still
I spill his cheekbones, his curls

11. Before me, his face is water and greenery
Haven’t you seen water and greenery?

12. His eyelids did not tire
As if keeping vigil for pay

13. I did not fall short of attaining what I sought
For I was not forced against my will

14. My heart grew drunk with love for him
And in his head the potshards broke

15. I became a fervent, enamored youth
Not every youth is from the clan of excuse!

16. O people of censure, a man
Is not assembled from anything but this clay

17. You disparage the likes of me and blame me
By God, you have not been honorable

18. Of the night visitors I have no experience
Nor over those who stay away any power

19. The mother of whoever rebukes me is an owl
And the mother of whoever excuses me is a wild cow

20. O night whose conversations were so sweet
When will you come back to me?

21. Say to him who was absent from my night
“How excellent your absence was, O stranger!”

22. And if you fear reproach from him, say to him
“May God not make the present desolate.”