وَزَهرُ نيلوفَرٍ لَولا تَشَعُّبُهُ

لَظَنَّ أَنواعَهُ الراؤونَ ياقوتا

The water lily, were it not for its branching stems

Would make beholders think its hues were rubies.

كَأَنَّ أَحمَرَهُ حُسناً وَأَزرَقَهُ

إِذا غَدا بِلِسانِ الحالِ مَنعوتا

As though its reds are beauties, and its blues,

When it opens its petals, are sapphires set.

مَشاعِلٌ أَوقَدوا في بَعضِها عِوَضاً

مِنَ الوَقودِ مَكانَ النَفطِ كِبريتا

Torches they lit, one with another instead

Of oil within them, sulfur for the wick.