نَظَرَت إِلَيَّ بِعَينِ مَن لَم يَعدِلِ

لَمّا تَمَكَّنَ طَرفُها مِن مَقتَلي

She looked at me with the eyes of one who is merciless

When her gaze overpowered me and meant my demise

لَمّا أَضاءَت بِالمَشيبِ مَفارِقي

صَدَّت صُدودَ مُفارِقٍ مُتَحَمِّلِ

When the grey hair illuminated our parting

She blocked all access, unforgiving, unrelenting

فَجَعَلتُ أَطلُبُ وَصلَها بِتَذَلُّلٍ

وَالشَيبُ يَغمِزُها بِأَلّا تَفعَلي

So I sought her union with meek imploring

But the grey hair winked at her "do not do it"