خاطبتُ منك طبيبا

بَلْ لوذعياً أديبا

I sought a healer in you,

But found instead a gifted poet.

ألفاظه كالدراري

تغزلاً ونسيبا

His words flow like streams,

Weaving love and intimacy.

يكاد يسحر إِن فاه

بالقريض القلوبا

His mouth could cast a spell, should it chant,

Enchanting hearts with verse.

ويستضيء بفكر

ما زال يلفى مجيبا

His thoughts shine bright,

Ever finding witty repartees.

يحوك في كل معنى

يعز برداً قشيبا

He spins meaning into every theme,

Dispelling chill with warmth.

ويستدر من العا

قر النفور حليبا

He gently draws out from the timid

Milk of trust from wary breasts.

في حل لغز لطيف

يلفى لديك عجيبا

He deftly solves each riddle,

Amazing you with his strangeness.

لكل شخص تراه

بين الأنام حبيبا

All he meets become his darlings,

Among people, loving friends.

إن منَّ يوماً علينا

وافى يدبُّ دبيبا

If one day he favored us,

Creeping in slowly, slowly,

تراه عنا بعيداً

طوراً وطوراً قريبا

You'd find him distant again,

Now close, now far, capricious.

يلفى ثلاث حروف

يستلّ منا اللّغوبا

He seeks just three letters,

Our hearts’ elusive prize.