ليتَ شِعري ما لي وما لِلَّيالي

ليتَ شِعري ما لي وما لِلَّيالي

قَدْ حَمَتْني حَتَّى طُروقَ الخَيال

قَدْ حَمَتْني حَتَّى طُروقَ الخَيال

Would that I knew—what have I to do with the nights?

Oh, how I wish I knew why I and the nights

They have denied me even the phantom's night visit.

Have overwhelmed me to the point of delusion

فَرَّق الهَجْرُ بَيْنَ قَلبي وبَيْنِي

فَرَّق الهَجْرُ بَيْنَ قَلبي وبَيْنِي

مَنْ شَفِيعي إلى زَمانِ الوصالِ

مَنْ شَفِيعي إلى زَمانِ الوصالِ

Separation has parted my heart from me.

Separation has come between my heart and me

Who will intercede for me with the time of reunion?

Who will intercede for me in the time of connection?

كُلَّ يَومٍ تَقاطُعٌ وتَناءٍ

كُلَّ يَومٍ تَقاطُعٌ وتَناءٍ

كُلَّ يَوْمٍ تَهاجُرٌ وتَقالِ

كُلَّ يَوْمٍ تَهاجُرٌ وتَقالِ

Every day, severed ties and growing distance.

Every day there is disagreement and denial

Every day, estrangement and mutual loathing.

Every day there is estrangement and departure

لا أذوقُ المَنامَ إلّا غِراراً

لا أذوقُ المَنامَ إلّا غِراراً

لا أنالُ الوِصالَ إِلّا أمالي

لا أنالُ الوِصالَ إِلّا أمالي

I taste sleep only in brief snatches.

I do not taste sleep except as a mirage

I attain reunion only in my hopes.

I do not attain connection except in my hopes

أخذ اللهُ ناظِرَيَّ بِقَلْبي

أخذ اللهُ ناظِرَيَّ بِقَلْبي

وقَضَى للكَرى عَلى أوْجالي

وقَضَى للكَرى عَلى أوْجالي

May God take my eyes in requital for my heart,

God has taken my eyes with my heart

And rule in slumber's favor against my fears.

And decreed anguish upon my pain