الناس قد خُلقوا ناساً من القدم

ومَن مشى منهم لم يَخلُ من قدم

People were created as people from the beginning

And whoever walked among them did not lack a foot

إذا مشى واحد منهم لحاجته

فظهره من ورا والوجه من أمَم

When one of them walked for his need

With his back behind and his face forwards

آذانهم بِقَبقِ الأبق قد سمعت

وعنهم أذن الإبريق في صمم

Their ears heard the clanking of pots

Yet the ear of the water-jug is deaf

خيولهم أبداً تمشي بأرجلها

لكنها لم تذق أكلاً بغير فم

Their horses always walk on their legs

But they have never eaten except with a mouth

يرقون مع قصر فوق الجمال ولا

يخشون من طولها رمياً عن السنم

They frolic with the saddle above the camels but do not

Fear its length throwing off the straps

ويجعلون حشاكم في أعناقها

عتق النعال فلا تغتاظ من بَلَم

And they put their stirrups around their necks

Like the straps of slippers, so they don't get angry from touching

لكنها لا تُراعي بينهم أدباً

كم جردفَت بعراً يلقى وجوهم

But they do not observe proper manners among them

How often a mule lashes out that meets their faces

في البر والبحر لا ينسون أكلهم

كلا ولا شربهم في الحلّ والحرم

On land and sea they do not forget their food

No, nor their drink in the permitted or prohibited

شاهدتهم نصبوا يوماً أوانيهم

على الخوان لدى الإخوان بالنِّعم

I saw them one day setting up their dishes

On the tablecloth near the brothers with blessings

فَرُحتُ أفرح والآمال تطعمني

إذا بها ما كفت أوّاه واندمي

So I rejoiced happily while hopes nourished me

When suddenly it restrained its hands and I regretted

ومُذ رأتها عيوني ما كفت وكفت

ورحت من أمل قد خاب في ألم

Since my eyes saw them they did not cease, and ceased

And I went from a hope that failed painfully

وقد جزمت بكسر القلب مُذ رفعوا

بالأكل ما نصبوه في خوانهم

And I was certain to break my heart when they lifted

With eating what they had set out on their trays