1. I knew the house like a worn anklet,
By the murmuring of the humble going to Baal.

2. A land from mighty Uzayzah now desolate;
Made so by the succession of previous eras.

3. As if when their caravans turned away,
At night, with the stars and acacia trees parting.

4. And headed right towards it and turned away,
From the sand dunes, from climbs and descents.

5. The streets in the crusty soil aren’t
Flowing with saplings or soft sand.

6. So we roofed the rooms with every
Pure complexioned face like a new crescent.

7. With a radiance like that of the full moon
When it glows and rests above the mountains.

8. As if the wind folds when it blows
And it caused weakness amongst the scattered remnants.

9. Like the scaling on the fine, Yemeni fabric
Bosoms over heavy lower backs.

10. And they make the anklets when they’re wrapped
Around their limbs, into hollow reeds.

11. And I was, before they could prove me wrong,
Denying separation and departure.

12. But when I saw the rain pouring down
In that bare pasture, collectively in succession.

13. And our journey was impeded by the pen
Of decree, the pasture of shade and shadows.

14. And it predominated what we intended to endure until
It drove us out with the farmers and palm trees.

15. I said, as they made the radiant full moon
A right, and crab-apple trees a left.

16. And I begrudge the enemy, as if
He and she are who the arrows are aimed at.

17. And I distance what appears to you as doubt
You’re no friend, nor confidante.

18. I say to her, mighty one you’ve wasted my debt
And the worst loans are those unfulfilled.

19. She said alas! Who but you can I pay
A creditor - I did not go to him with wealth?

20. I swear that if I came to the sea one day
I'd drink what it gave of fresh water.

21. And I swear your love is, mother of Amr,
Next to my side, with severed breath.