أمنIs it from بعدafter ماthat لاحappeared المشيبgray hair بعارضيon my cheek
أمن بعد ما لاح المشيب بعارضي
وعرفand the fragrance الصباof youth ولىdeparted ولمand did not أرI see طيباsweetness
وعرف الصبا ولى ولم أر طيبا
Is it after gray hair has appeared on my cheek,
After gray hair appeared on my temple
And youth’s fragrance has departed, and I have found no sweetness,
And youthfulness passed without me seeing goodness
أرومI seek شبابيmy youth أنto يعودreturn كماjust as بداit appeared
أروم شبابي أن يعود كما بدا
وهيهاتand how far off عوديmy branch أنto يعودbecome again رطيباtender
وهيهات عودي أن يعود رطيبا
That I seek my youth’s return, just as it first appeared?
Do I wish for my youth to return as it began?
And how far my branch is from growing tender again!
Alas, its return will not be gentle