سَمّاهُ أَحبابُهُ المِسكينَ قَد صَدَقوا

مَن كانَ في مِثلِ حالي فَهوَ مِسكينُ

His loved ones named him 'The Wretched,' and they spoke the truth,

For whoever finds himself in a state like mine is wretched indeed.

أَنا الَّذي اِجتازَتِ الضَرّاءُ مُهجَتَهُ

بادي الشُحوبِ عَلَيَّ العَيشُ مَوزونُ

I am he whose very lifeblood adversity has traversed,

Visibly pale and wan, my livelihood is strictly measured.

تَعفو الهَواجِرُ عَن وَجهي مَحاسِنَهُ

وَأَنتَ في غَمرَةِ اللَذّاتِ مَكنونُ

The scorching midday heats have effaced the beauty of my face,

While you remain ensconced within a flood of pleasures.

حِيالَ بابِكَ في طِمرَينِ مُنتَبِذٌ

مِنَ الغُبارِ كَحيلُ العَينِ مَدهونُ

Before your door I sit cast aside, clad in two tattered rags,

With dust serving as the kohl for my eyes and the ointment for my skin.