Separation and Those Departed, Unblamed
Separation and those who leave are beyond reproach.
And a mother who seeks the best direction.
And the abode of pleasures does not equal my own home
If I am not respected and honored therein.
The nature of a soul that remains beautiful is
One that is cast into oppression at every opening.
She departed, and how many weeping eyes of youth
Have shed tears for me, and how many for a lion-hearted friend.
And how the lady adorned with beautiful ornaments is not
More distressed than the owner of a determined sword.
Were my afflictions from a beloved embraced easily,
I could have understood, but from a beloved hidden,
Who strikes as they shield themselves from my blows,
Those who break both my hands, my bow, and my arrows.
When a person’s actions go awry, their doubts increase,
And what they are accustomed to believe becomes true.
And they become estranged from their friends with spoken slander,
And find themselves in a confusing night of uncertainty.
I recognize a person’s soul before their body,
And I know them by their deeds and their speech.
I endure the shortcomings of a companion, knowing that
When he is mistaken, he regrets his ignorance.
And if another’s generosity is grim and sullen,
Then I am rewarded by the generosity of those who smile.
I desire all the noble youths, all distinguished and brave,
Who have traversed the desert paths and interacted with
Horses to match the grandeur of an imposing army.
And though he lacks modesty in his sword and spear,
His true quality shows in his hand, his gaze, and his speech.
Not every admirer of beauty is capable,
And not every doer achieves completeness.
For the sake of my noble father, the musk-possessor,
If they guide me through the mud, let them be a shining example.
He gazes with pride at a significant past,
Pointing towards virtuous creations and noble conduct.
If politics deny your very essence,
Stand firm in their presence, for there is much to learn.
Even the well-endowed restricts who sees them,
For that is limited understanding or little generosity.
Who among the brave pales when the horses hesitate,
When few dare to command their advance?
Strong is he who remains steadfast in the dust,
Leading to the throats of veiled, gallant horsemen.
O father of musk, I hope for your success against our enemies,
And I long for glory that stains the white with blood.
And to witness a day that provokes envy,
Where I place my suffering in the place of delight.
I long only for the one who matters and for those who desire,
Raindrops devoid of cloudy storms.
Had it not been for you in Egypt, I would not have traveled toward you,
With a heart filled with yearning and deep passion.
Nor would my horses have barked at the tribal dogs,
As if they heralded the night with the howlings of wolves.
And no one pursued our footsteps except the desolate,
Finding only hoofprints above the earth.
We branded the wilderness until it flourished,
From the Nile and flourished with the shade of Mokattam.
Yet I disobeyed my chosen guide’s advice,
And went against my designated course of wisdom.
For he lavished closeness without hardship,
And I offered my gratitude freely and openly.
Choosing you, the angels chose for us a dialogue,
And having decided on your counsel, pass judgment.
In this world, the fairest beauty remains the kindest,
And the most fortunate hand among them is that which possesses mercy.
And among the noblest, the one with the highest ambition,
And the most courageous in all significant matters.
Whom do you seek in this world if not,
For the joy of a beloved or the transgression of a sinner?
And the steed that rides your thigh,
Is greeted with honor on every neck and wrist.
For you, the rearing beasts obey all steeds,
Even if their flames are somewhat out of season.
Had I known how much of my life I allocated,
Dividing two-thirds of it waiting for your return, know this:
Yet what elapses in life is fleeting,
So strive for the swift lines that lead to profits.
I am content with what you find pleasing for me,
And I have directed my soul toward you with the kindness of a devout servant.
And someone like you possesses a compassionate heart,
So kindly speak on my behalf, while I remain silent.
Restlessness and My Like Enveloped in It
Restlessness leads to a stream of tears for me,
As my sorrow compounds and my heart quakes.
Every flicker of lightning or bird’s song
Causes me to recoil; my heart is captivated.
I have experienced the flames of love that never extinguish,
A fire of embers that leave no marks of devastation.
I chastised the lovers until I tasted it,
And I marveled how one does not perish in the absence of love.
I forgave them and recognized my fault—,
That I mocked them only to meet the same fate.
O offspring of our father, we are dwellers,
The crow of separation croaks incessantly.
We lament the world, for no group has gathered
Without dispersing in this life.
Where are the kings and giants who amassed treasures?
They amassed wealth, yet neither they nor their possessions remain.
From each who filled space with their army,
Until they were laid in the narrow confines of graves.
They fell silent when called, as if they knew not
That for them, words were freely permitted.
Death is imminent, souls are valuables,
And the fool preserves what he possesses.
And man hopes; life is indeed tempting,
While old age is heavy, and youth is fleeting.
Indeed, I have wept for youth; my woes forged my face,
Making it weary even if my visage still glows.
I feared for it ahead of its departure,
Until I nearly drowned the light from my eyes.
As for the sons of Aws, the son of Ma’in,
They are honored and challenged by the beautiful.
My heart swelled around their residences when the suns appeared,
For from them there is no light in the east.
I marveled at the clouds above in above their lands,
As well as the stones there that do not bloom.
The fragrance of their honorable praise wafts through
Every position, inviting an inhalation of sweetness,
Except it is savage, whereas others bloom.
Is there anyone like Muhammad in our age?
Do not lead us toward unattainable desires.
The Compassionate One fashioned none like Muhammad,
Sincerely, he will never be imitated.
O you who bestows abundant generosity,
Please grant me blessings and extend your kindness.
Rain upon me with a bounty cloud,
And look upon me with mercy so I am not drowned.
The son of an unworthy wretch lies by his own foolishness,
Saying that the honorable have perished while you endure.
As for Separation, It Is What I Have Known
As for separation, it is as I have always known,
My twin; if we were born together,
We have always accepted that we would obey it,
Once we realized we would not last.
And when the noble steeds bore us away,
They bore us far from the best among them.
For I am one who sees nothing praiseworthy about time,
Especially not when the sorrow of parting is involved.
My Existence Is Fated, Not Departed
As if grief is enmeshed in my heart,
For the moment of her departure brings forth reunion.
Just like this world has treated those before me,
With circumstances that have never been constant.
The deepest sorrow for me is obscured by joy,
When certainty yields to abandonment.
I have become accustomed to my wandering and made the earth
My reins, and the wonder of greatness my steed.