لَئِن تَكُ لِمِّتِى شَعثَت زَمَاناً

ودَامَ الدُّهنُ في بِعضِ التَّلاَمِ

If you remain silent for a time

and sorrow lingers in some expressions

فَإنَّ الجُرَب تُدهَنُ مِن هَنَاءٍ

ويَبقَى قَرمُهَا شَعِثَ السَّنَامِ

still, relief soothes with tenderness

though its scars remain rough to the touch

وكَائن عَلَّلَت بِالدُّهنِ رَأسِى

مُنَعَمَّةٌ مُخَضَبةُ البنَامِ

And however my head annoys with pain

adorned, dyed in dark henna

تَخَالُ جَبِينَهَا والليلُ دَاجٍ

شُعَاعَ الشَّمسِ أو ضَوءَ الحَلاَمِ

her forehead shines as night falls dark

with sunlight's rays or dreams' light