أرى الدهر يسعى في عوائق مطلبي

ويزوى مرامي في حواء جنابه

I see time striving against the obstacles of my desire,

And my intentions fading into the emptiness of its sides.

وكم في الليالي لا رعى الله عهدها

عوائق مطل عن حوائج نابه

And how many are the nights, may God not tend to their covenant,

With obstacles that distract from the attainment of its wants.