أيا برقُ نافحْ ذكرَ ظبيٍ مهفهفٍ

حوى نفحاتِ المسكِ والندِّ ريَّاهُ

O lightning that reminds of a beautiful, fluttering gazelle

Whose breath carries the fragrances of musk and ambergris

قسا فرماني عنْ قِسيِّ حواجبٍ

تنوبُ لها دأباً عن الرشقِ عيناه

It commanded me to abandon the harshness of obligations

That make my eyes continuously weep out of yearning for it

تمنيتُ من أهوى به وهو قاتلي

وربَّ مُنىً للمرءِ فيها مناياه

I wished for the one I love, though he is my killer

And the wishes of a man often lead to his demise

وما راعني إلا تأوُّدُ عِطْفِهِ

وقد مالَ سُكراً والرضابُ حميَّاه

Yet I was not cautious, attracted by his gentle affection

As he swayed intoxicated while the cups were heated

أَذلنا دماءً في هواه وأدمعاً

وضنَّ لنا ظُلماً بِظَلْمِ ثناياه

We shed blood in our love for him and tears

While he oppressed us with the injustice of his embrace

فما بَرِحَ الشوقُ المبرِّحُ سامياً

لأحوى حوى كلَّ المحاسنِ مرآه

Still, fervent longing did not cease rising high

For the most beautiful of visions I adore

فمنظرُهُ والثغرُ منه وعَرْفُهُ

وقامتُهُ والردفُ منه وخدَّاهر

His appearance, his lips, his temples and his cheeks

Are like the dawn sun, pearls, musk, and fragrant branches

لشمسِ الضحى والدرِّ والمسكِ ونفحةً

وغصنِ النقا والدعصِ والورد أَشباه

Of basil, chamomile, roses - they are all similar