كَأَنَّماas though النَثرةal-Nathrah (a star cluster) أثرa mark عَينan eye
كَأَنَّما النَثرة أثر عَين
أَوor كلفdark skin patches عَلىupon الخُدودthe cheeks قَدalready عَلاhave risen
أَو كلف عَلى الخُدود قَد عَلا
As though al-Nathrah were a mark left by an eye,
As if the down were the trace of an eye,
Or dark patches that have appeared upon the cheeks.
Or henna upon the cheeks had mounted high.