1. On Egypt's shore a lad from Syria strayed
His hands wringing on his bleeding heart he laid

2. Her beauty overflowed him after parting
So he yearned for the grace of Damascus, long delayed

3. Though far from him, to his heart she stayed near
For hearts, imaginings of lovers, oft stray

4. In his passion for her he was but one
Yet in absence, torn in pieces, apt to fray

5. My loves on Lebanon's slopes, you are here
In spirit, though far in body, you came

6. Still bleeding my heart from our farewell remains
That eve your tears mingled with my tears the same

7. The waves tossed me about, crashing swell
The night wrapped us in shadows, a dark veil

8. Unlike the ship's crew, I did not fall that day
But firmed my will, steadfast, I did not fail

9. I said she must carry a bold, young man
Gathering glory's remnants in his chest so hale

10. Either glory awaits beyond the sea adorned
Or with the most high, a meadow forever pale

11. Sorrows and ruin matter not to my kind
If kin live free, graced with gifts that avail

12. I tame the lions, though refuse and deny
To cow the freeman's spirit, I will not curtail

13. Between glory and love I waver and doubt
One calls behind and one leads before the trail

14. My heart whispers of return, thousands of times
My patience and pride curb me, keep me from the rail

15. O troubled souls, join me, let us live as one
In sorrows a partnership of travails we'll form

16. On thorns we walk, while others slumber soft
On flowers in shades, their heads in blissful calm

17. They sip their wines in endlessly delight
While we tend the stars, on bare mountains worn

18. With the likes of us the world feels too confined
Yet welcomes the wicked, the unjust and forlorn

19. We're like wormwood building our graves
To bring life to memories of slaves who were shorn

20. Content with sweet remembrance under dust
Though remembrance is scarce once a people are lorn

21. We're plagued with a heart, a poet's, pained
Content with dreams, melodies reborn

22. Not in reciting verse or writing poems
Lies bliss, but gathering money and fortune sworn

23. When the archer strikes the soaring eagle
My heart wishes an arrow, toward the prey borne

24. On my forehead I walk, I the wandering poet
Whose trace in the ruins of time lies worn

25. His breath kindled, his soul is rapt in inspiration
Flying in the sky of creativity born

26. His tears between his lids are dear to him
Stingy except at times when anguish is sworn

27. He did his duty in Baalbek and Palmyra
And came to weep for glory under pyramids outworn

28. Peace be upon you O Nile, by glad tidings graced
With the sweetest blooms and gentlest breeze of morn

29. From Damascus in my scrolls I brought this gift
And in a heart for beauty ceaseless and forlorn

30. As though on your green banks a voice shouts loud
O seed of heroes, you were orphaned, left to mourn

31. Has not the time come for the heedless to wake
Prisoners perplexed, still as idols, battered and worn

32. O Egypt's sons, why this disunity amongst you
You're plagued by malady that severs joints to scorn

33. Make peace, become empowered and strong again
And build with deeds and rise on flags proudly borne

34. To Arabs belongs honoring heroes and sages
With swords and pens, deeds and words that adorn

35. Name your streets in every town for your heroes
As examples for youth and objects of honor worn

36. Bones of men whose glory the earth does fill
A glory built on inspiration nobly born

37. Mary, show Christian love, embrace Khadeejah
That we forget the hatred of years forlorn

38. And say, with cheek pressed against cheek not far
My brothers and cousins dispute and quarrel with scorn

39. Come before the people, let us shed our tears sincere
Not false tears, but truth drops, pure without scorn

40. Maybe our pure tears can soften their hearts
And quench fires lit with any violent flame borne

41. Then flowers will bloom covering their graves
And hatreds under the shade of justice sworn