أرى دارها في كل حينٍ وساعةٍ

ولكن من في الدار عني مغيب

I behold her dwelling at every moment and hour,

yet the one who abides within is veiled from me.

وكل نافصي قرب الديار وأهلها

على وصلهم مني رقيبٌ مرقب

And all who begrudge the nearness of the dwellings and their folk,

while a vigilant sentinel keeps watch over our union.

فيالك جار الجنب أسمع جسه

وأعلم أن الصين أدنى وأقرب

O neighbor by my side, whose slightest stir I hear,

yet I know that distant China is closer and nearer.

كصادٍ يرى ماء الطوي بعينه

وليس إليه من سبيل بسبب

Like a thirsty soul who sees the well's water with his own eyes,

yet finds no path or rope to reach it.

كذلك من في اللحد عنك مغيب

وما دونه إلا الصفيح المنصب

Thus is the one concealed from you within the grave,

with nothing between you save the upright slabs of stone.