وَقَفَتْني ما بَيْنَ هَمٍّ وبوسِ

وثَنَتْ بَعْدَ ضِحْكَة بِعُبوسِ

She stopped me midway between anxiety and a kiss,

And after a laugh, turned to a frown.

ورَأَتْني مَشَّطْتُ عاجاً بِعاجٍ

وهي الآَبُنوسُ بالآَبنوسِ

She saw me comb ivory with ivory,

While she is ebony with ebony.