إنّما همّتي غلا

مٌ وسؤلي ومطلبي

Indeed, my sole ambition is a lad,

He is my desire and my pursuit.

خُيّبتُ في خودةٍ

رُبَّ راج مخيّب

I was disappointed in a young maid;

Many a hopeful heart is let down.

قلتُ لمّا رأيتُها

إذهبي أخت واعزبي

I said when I saw her:

"Go, sister, and stay far away.

إطلبي لي مواطراً

واذهبي أنتِ تجتبي

Seek for me rain-bearing clouds,

And you, go forth and glean.

لستُ ما عشتُ مدخلاً

اصبعي جحرَ عقربِ

I shall not, as long as I live, insert

My finger into a scorpion's hole."