1. أَلَيسَ عَجيباً أَنَّني مَع تَسَبُبي

    وَشِعري ما أَعطَيت جداً وَلا حدا

    Is it not strange that, despite my striving

    And my poetry, I have been granted neither good fortune nor an advantage?

  2. وَإِني إِذا ما زُرت قَوماً مُسلِّماً

    حَجَبتُ فَظَنوا إِنَّني أَبتَغي رَفدا

    And whenever I visit people to offer greetings,

    I am denied entry, for they think I seek a gift.

  3. وَقَد طالَ إِفلاسي وَأَحسَبُ مُثريا

    فَأَصبَحت لا يُجدى عَليَّ وَأَستَجدي

    My poverty has long endured, yet I am thought wealthy,

    So I receive no gifts, though I beg.