1. قالوا اِبتَسَمَت علوةُ تبدي غَنَجا

    بَل طايَبتِ القَومَ فَفي الحلق شَجا

    They said, “ʿAlwa smiled, displaying coquettish charm.”

    No—she was humoring the company, for a choking grief lodged in her throat.

  2. مَن أَنكَرَ لِلصُبحِ ثُغوراً ضحكت

    مَن رَدَّ عَلى نَسيم روض أَرَجا

    Who could deny the dawn its laughing mouths?

    Who could return fragrance to a garden breeze?