Sol 6.1

  1. I say to my two companions, seeking consolation,

    When they had skirted the dunes of al-Uqar:

  2. Help me, you two, with the sighs of a heart

    That yearns at Ramatayn for Nawar.

  3. Whenever Nawar is mentioned to it, there overflow

    The tear ducts of a weeper, streaming with tears.

  4. So I have never seen the like of what she crossed to reach us:

    Of pitch-black darkness and deserts.

  5. She waded through its gaps until she came to us,

    Despite the encampment's distance from the meeting-place.

  6. And how can one cut off and driven away find union,

    Who descends with the stars toward their setting-place?

  7. I struck the son of al-Maraghah from behind when he turned away,

    Toward the worst of tribes and dwellings,

  8. To the people of cramped confines among Kulayb:

    Dogs beneath small tents.

  9. Lo, may God disgrace the sons of Kulayb,

    Those with donkeys and short tent poles.

  10. Women in cramped confines; unconcealed remain

    Their shameful deeds, despite a headscarf's face-covering.

  11. And if pelted with the baseness of the sons of Kulayb,

    The stars of night would not shine for a night traveler.

  12. And if the sons of Kulayb wore the day,

    Their baseness would surely stain the brightness of day.

  13. And no mighty man of Kulayb's sons sets out in the morning

    To seek what he needs except with a protector.

  14. The sons of al-Sid, ill omens to their enemies,

    Raised me to high honor, as did the sons of Dirar.

Sol 6.1