كَمhow often أَكتُبI write ماwhat جَرىhappened وَدَمعيand my tears يُمليdictate
كَم أَكتُب ما جَرى وَدَمعي يُملي
ماwhat أَضمرI conceal مِنof اليُمpainful (apparently أليم) فَقدloss of الأَهلfamily
ما أَضمر مِن اليُم فَقد الأَهل
How often I write what happened, while my tears dictate
How much I write what has passed, my tears dictate
The anguish I conceal at the loss of my family.
What grief I harbor over losing my family
غَرّبتI went abroad وَغيرَتيand my sense of honor كَماas تَعهدهاyou know it
غَرّبت وَغيرَتي كَما تَعهدها
ماnever قَبلkissed خَدِهاits cheek نِقابthe veil of الذُلّhumiliation
ما قَبل خَدِها نِقاب الذُلّ
I have gone abroad, yet my honor remains as you know it;
It has estranged and changed me as it vowed
The veil of humiliation has never kissed its cheek.
Before its cheek was veiled by disgrace