إِذا ما عَدَدتُ السِنَّ عُدتُ بِتَرحَةٍ

وَأَمَّلتُ رَبّي أَن يُحِلَّ عِقالي

When I count the years, I count with remorse,

And I hope my Lord releases my fetters,

أُسَرُّ لِدُنيايَ الَّتي قَد طَوَيتُها

وَآسي لِجُرمَي خاطِرٍ وَمَقالِ

I rejoice in my world which I have folded up,

And grieve for my erring thoughts and words,

فَيا أُمَّ دَفرٍ كُنتِ لي مَيَّ وامِقٍ

فَصارَ تَعادٍ بَينَنا وَتَقالي

O mother of permanence, you were refreshment and refuge for me,

Then estrangement and parting came between us,

جَعَلتِ ثَقيلَ التُربِ فَوقي وَطالَما

وَطِئتُ بِأَوزارٍ عَلَيكِ ثِقالِ

You made the heavy dust over me, and for so long,

I walked with burdens upon you so heavily,

وَقَد صَدِئَت نَفسي بِجِسمي وَلُبسِهِ

فَهَل تَصطَفيها ميتَتي بِصِقالِ

My soul has rusted in my body and its garments,

So will my death purify it with polishing?