مَشَينَ إلى الرّكابِ وقد أنيخت

مَشَينَ إلى الرّكابِ وقد أنيخت

كما يَمشي الأساري في القُيُودِ

كما يَمشي الأساري في القُيُودِ

They walked toward the riding camels, already made to kneel,

I walked as though shackled, to the stirrup

as captives walk in fetters.

As prisoners walk, fettered in chains

تُغازلُنا مُلاذ الخزِّ غمداً

تُغازلُنا مُلاذ الخزِّ غمداً

بأطرافِ الرّوادفِ والنّهودِ

بأطرافِ الرّوادفِ والنّهودِ

Soft silk coverings flirt with us, sheathing them,

The scabbard caresses us, a sanctuary

with the contours of their buttocks and breasts.

With the edges of oars and chests