حشَتْ بالكحْل عينيها وبانت

حشَتْ بالكحْل عينيها وبانت

غداة غدت بها العِيسُ الشدادُ

غداة غدت بها العِيسُ الشدادُ

She filled her eyes with kohl and departed,

Her eyes were rimmed with kohl, and so it seemed

the morning the sturdy pale camels carried her away.

When next I saw her, parted from my side

فقلت لها اكْحُلٌ وافتراق

فقلت لها اكْحُلٌ وافتراق

كأنكِ لم يروِّعْكِ البَعاد

كأنكِ لم يروِّعْكِ البَعاد

I said to her, 'Kohl—and parting?

I said “This kohl and parting are in truth

As though separation had not frightened you!'

As though you felt no fear of absence wide”

فقالت كي تحوِّلَه دموعي

فقالت كي تحوِّلَه دموعي

فيغدو وهْو في خدّي حِداد

فيغدو وهْو في خدّي حِداد

She said, 'So that my tears may transform it,

She answered “Nay, but that my tears transform

and it may become mourning upon my cheek.'

To tattooed grief that will forever bide”