1. I did not doubt his friendship, nor was I alarmed by his estrangement,
Nor did I feel the length of my life with Sulwan.

2. I did not know the meaning of the name Asma,
It never occurred to me, nor did it cross my mind.

3. Rather my chronic disease, which made
Its spirits angry with me from early on and weakened my body,

4. Spread continuously, its relapses still reach me
In the gathering of my loved ones, leaving me alone.

5. It was as if separation intentionally sought me out
Wherever it saw I had gone, to try me and make me lonely.

6. I used to think I had firm endurance
When traversing the valleys of its painful complaints.

7. But it met me with flavors that I tasted,
Matching, from my early manhood, its own flavors.

8. By God! Can one forget a brother whose friendship
My soul assures me will not forget me?

9. If my suspicion of him is true, then indeed
I have long known my suspicion does not betray.

10. This is the fate of days, it is not because
I fear the nature of forgetfulness in him.

11. I used to face my time shielded against
The inconstancy of my days and years,

12. A shield that misfortune would say warily
“What is your business today, O you, and what is my business?”

13. Now the world has darkened with his absence
So night to me is the same as other than night.

14. And that is my right, for in every sunrise
Two suns would shine before my eyes because of him.

15. But now fate which runs its new courses among us
Has deprived me of both their lights.

16. Yet I say words that all creation
Will acknowledge for their light and proof:

17. I wonder at myself complaining of his aloofness
As tears freely pour forth with no restraint,

18. While his face is ever before my eyes, never leaving me,
And his phantom is my companion in the other half.

19. My mind is with him and my heart is his dwelling—
This is how the aware present beholds you!

20. And his person is visibly before my gaze forever,
And in my conscience when sleep closes my eyelids.

21. I call him longingly as one content with seeing him,
My contentment in him suffices me, as he would meet me.

22. O my excuse for the wrongs of fate in the past!
Both it and my loyal friend wronged me equally.

23. Each envied me in his love
For fate’s injustice, inseparably linked with God’s satisfaction.

24. My heart used to envy you, and now
Two eyes envy the heart within you.

25. To the extent that fate became envious of me in you
And appeared defeated, moaning over me.

26. I have excused in you, by my life, everyone possessed by envy
Who in the world is not envied like Solomon?

27. And I do have the right to excuse them, for I have come to know
The abode of Him who enriched me with you from the first.

28. Indeed, your companionship has granted me a share
That cannot be requited with veiling it or meeting it with ingratitude.

29. If the earth belonged to me—God forbid—it would not enrich
My soul, for through you from all else I am rich.

30. A noble, precious, dangerous person—if I could ransom
Myself with him, I would take what remains over the transient.

31. That one whom I do not know how to requite
With what I hold secret and what is open of me.

32. In prosperity and in hardship, he submitted his soul to me.
Two bright stars in the verdant darkness.