واها لخصر كاد يخفى رقة

واها لخصر كاد يخفى رقة

يحكي هلال الأفق عند محاقه

يحكي هلال الأفق عند محاقه

Ah, for a waist so slender it almost vanishes,

Alas for a waist almost hidden, so slender,

Resembling the horizon’s crescent as it wanes to darkness.

The crescent moon nearing its loss tells of its grace,

خصرٌ أدرت على مناطقه يدي

خصرٌ أدرت على مناطقه يدي

فوجدته قد ضاق تحت نطاقه

فوجدته قد ضاق تحت نطاقه

A waist around whose girdles I passed my hand,

My hands encircled that delicate waist,

And found it had narrowed beneath its girdle.

To find it was slim where the girdle did lace.