1. Where am I headed? My journey has wearied me
My strength is gone and my broken wings tire me

2. How can I journey on when my path is long?
Long, and my vigor is short, so short.

3. I was like a chick who lost his wing,
Yearning to fly but unable to take wing.

4. I have wishes like flowers on a grave
That die with a trembling rustle.

5. I watch my steps fearing to stumble
And a raging desire sweeps over me.

6. One moment I fool around like a playful boy,
Another I walk sedately like a stooped old man.

7. And sometimes I hurl myself into the fray
Like a prisoner throwing himself against his chains.

8. The loneliness of memories drives me on
And visions of fate make me retrace my steps.

9. Before me are dark chasms and awesome mysteries,
Behind me torment and a bitter past.

10. Where shall I go and shall I turn back?
Ahead of me lies danger and behind danger.

11. From somewhere beyond my hopes
Came a call like a child’s innocent laughter,

12. Like the fluttering of dreams, like the murmur of a brook,
Melodious echoes, the tinkle of a little bell.

13. So I came to you like one who takes refuge
In an oasis from the hell of loneliness.

14. The tender affection of your love enfolded me
Like the gentle spring breeze’s darling companion.

15. In you I discovered a new love,
And you were my last beloved.

16. Hand in hand we walked together,
Singing much and weeping much.

17. We found a small home, just one,
Small like a little bird’s nest.

18. You did not ask me: “Have you a bed?”
For love made its bed humbler still.

19. What bed have I, I who am a poet?
My spirit is rich but my pocket empty.

20. I asked of life one gift only:
A spirit of wealth and enlightened thought.

21. If my fare be a draught and a crust,
Wherein do I differ from a beast of burden?

22. I was created to be kind to all people.
In my heart is a peaceful haven.

23. I console the poor and mourn the fool
For his incapacity, and praise the mighty.

24. I console all and love all people,
And scorn the meanest, lowliest soul.

25. I draw inspiration from tears and songs,
From laments for the dead and good tidings.

26. I am a poet, “kinswoman mine”, and for me
Love is a delicious, copious spring.

27. And tender poetry like the dream of dawn
Over the rainy jasmine’s sleeping eyelid.

28. You and I need no more than a book of verse
A humble home, and a magnificent love,

29. A cup of longing and memories,
And a song of your thrilling perfume.

30. When the soul finds peace in its dwelling,
The hut equals the couch of kings.

31. How often luxury saddens the sterile palace,
And modest comfort gladdens the rich man’s castle!

32. The destitute suffer and the wealthy endure agony.
Neither state is remarkable or beyond belief.

33. This one pines for what he cannot express,
While the other disdains abundant fare,

34. And beneath his elegant exterior he hides
The cracks in his spirit and the shame of his conscience.

35. So happiness flashes around him
Like sunlight around a blind man.

36. How many rich men suffer constant woe!
How many hard workers live in modest content!

37. For us, “kinswoman mine”, our love
Is gentle affection and fresh, green herbage.

38. And art that includes our passion...
As the night embraces its darkest hours.

39. And it warms our love and dreams
As the glass warms the wine steward’s palm.

40. My journey through the darkness has led me to you,
So I forgot the terror of its dizzying course.

41. I found you like shade after loneliness
And like triumph after arduous struggle.