يهم ويعييه النهوض فيجثم
ويعزم إلا ريشه ليس يعزم
He struggles to stand but slumps down,
He resolves but his wings won't resolve.
لقد رنّق الصرصور وهو على الثرى
مُكبٌّ وقد صاح القطا وهو أبكم
The ant has shriveled on the ground,
The cat meows, though mute.
يُلملم حدباء القدامى كأنها
أضالعُ في أرماسها تتهشم
He gathers his ancient humps as if
They were ribs breaking within him.
ويثقله حمل الجناحين بعد ما
أقلاه وهو الكاسر المتقحم
He's burdened by his two wings after
They had carried him, storming ahead.
جناحين لو طارا لنصت فدوّمت
شماريخُ رضوى واستقل يلملم
Two wings - had they flown, they'd have hushed
The murmurs of bliss and he'd have finished gathering himself.
ويلحظ أقطار السماء كأنه
رجيم على عهد السموات يندم
He watches the horizons like one who
Regrets the epoch of skies.
ويغمض أحياناً فهل أبصر الردى
مقضاً عليه أم بماضيه يحلم
Sometimes he closes his eyes - has he seen
His ruin decreed or dreams of his past?
إذا أدفأته الشمس أغفى وربما
توهمها صيداً له وهو هيثم
When the sun warms him he dozes, and imagines
It prey for him while he lurks.
لعينيك يا شيخ الطيور مهابةٌ
يفر بغاث الطير عنها ويهزم
Your eyes, old bird, are formidable -
Young birds flee from them in defeat.
وما عجزت عنك الغداة وإنما
لكل شباب هيبة حين يهرم
It wasn't morning that failed you, but
All youth has awe when time makes it old.
