ذَكَرتُ زَمانَ الوَصلِ فيها فَلَيسَ لي

عَزاءٌ وَلا صَبرٌ وَلا مُتَلَذَّذُ

I recalled the days of union with her, in which I have

I recalled the time of our union, and I have neither solace, nor patience, nor joy remaining.

No solace, nor patience, nor delight

I departed though separation blocked my paths, while my heart is dragged forcibly toward the beloved.

ذَهَبتُ وَقَد سَدَّ الفُراقُ مَذاهِبي

وَقَلبي إِلى نَحوِ الأَحِبَّةِ يُجبَذُ

I left, though parting has sealed my paths

I wandered in a daze, knowing not where I was led by a fate that flows over man and must be fulfilled.

While my heart is pulled towards the beloved

I condemned my life—how could I praise it when I have abandoned the very pleasures I once embraced?

ذهلتُ فَما أَدري إِلى أَينَ قادَني

قَضاءٌ عَلى الإِنسانِ يَجري فَيَنفذُ

Bewildered am I, not knowing where destiny

I was humbled by weaning after the glory I had suckled, and I drowned myself where there is no savior.

Has led me, a decree on man flowing, fulfilled

By my life, my sins have drowned and ruined me; otherwise, I am steadfast of heart and discerning.

ذَمَمتُ حَياتي كَيفَ أَحمدُها وَقَد

تَرَكتُ مِنَ اللذّاتِ ما كُنتُ آخذُ

I despaired my life, how can I praise it when

The covenant of passion should be honored—so why did you not honor it, when I sought refuge in the nearness of one who intended to part?

I left pleasures I once seized

I have withered, though the nectar of your lips revitalizes my branch; I have rusted, though my heart is honed by sharp blades.

ذَلَلتُ فطاماً بَعدَ عزٍّ رَضعتُهُ

وَأَغرَقتُ نَفسي حَيثُ ما لي مُنقِذُ

I weaned myself after suckling glory

The sun and the full moon veil themselves before the beauties of one for whom my heart is torn to shreds.

And drowned myself where I have no savior

His tresses are musk, his teeth are pearls; his cheeks are pure gold, and the soft down upon them is emerald.

ذُنوبي لَعَمري غَرَّقتني فَأَوبَقت

وَإِلّا فَإِنّي ثابِتُ القَلبِ جَهبَذُ

By my life, my sins have drowned me and destroyed me

Else, I stand firm, stout-hearted and unyielding

ذِمامُ الهَوى يُرعى فَهَلّا رَعيتهُ

وَكُنت بِقُربى مَن نَوى أَتَعَوَّذُ

The reins of love, why did I not pasture them

And stay close to she who I seek refuge with

ذَوَيتُ وَعودي بِالرضابِ اِخضِرارُهُ

صِدئتُ وَقَلبي بِالنَواصِلُ يُشحَذُ

My promises have withered, once verdant

I rusted while my heart for the beloved sharpens

ذُكاءٌ وَبَدرُ التمِّ يَحتَجِبانِ مِن

مَحاسِن من قَلبي عَلَيهِ مُجَذَّذُ

Wit and full moon of perfection veil themselves

From the beauty that has captured my heart

ذَوائِبُهُ مِسكٌ ثَناياهُ لُؤلُؤٌ

وَخَدّاهُ تِبرٌ وَالعِذارُ زُمُرُّدُ

His curling tresses are musk, his cheeks pearls

His cheeks myrrh, his moles ruby