سكنتُ وما سكنتُ لذاك عجزاً

سكنتُ وما سكنتُ لذاك عجزاً

ولكن ساءني جري المهاري

ولكن ساءني جري المهاري

I kept still, but did not do so out of helplessness.

I settled, but not because I was helpless,

But the running of the swift camels distressed me.

Rather, the hurry of the skilled upset me.

تراني سائراً في بحر جهلٍ

تراني سائراً في بحر جهلٍ

كأني راكدٌ والماءُ جار

كأني راكدٌ والماءُ جار

You see me traveling in a sea of ignorance,

You see me adrift on a sea of ignorance

As though I were motionless while the water flows.

As if I'm still when the water flows.