Poem: As for Parting, Its Date is Tomorrow
By Ibn Daninir:
As for parting, its date is tomorrow,
Let not the reproacher chide or debate.
They have resolved to separate, to the point that
The distance has approached, and the time for farewell has arrived.
The tears from my eyes cannot stem from their departure,
And the flames of my heart will not subside in love.
You have inherited from my loyalty to you
A humiliation that one grows accustomed to, akin to disgrace.
O neighbors of the learned, little patience remains
From your connection; truly, pride has been tested.
Whenever I remember you, patience is elusive,
For my heart, in your love, is truly distressed.
The spark from the Levant is a signal, for
Between my ribs is a sigh that ignites.
How lovely would be the dwelling in Manbij when it dawns,
Where the graceful gazelle flirts with me.
A place where my heart roams at ease,
And longing intensifies toward meeting.
What enjoyment is there for me without my homeland,
Except that which is sweeter and more comfortable with it?
O you who have distanced yourself, and yet longing brings you closer to
My heart, even if you are far away or not distanced.
I have devoted myself to love you purely,
And it is for her, and you have only affectionate regard.
And perhaps, for love’s sake, a vision has appeared without resting,
And my eyelids are sleepless from the farewell.
Increased rebuke from you has sharpened like
A sword that has been unsheathed against time.
Does he hope to forget while my ears are deaf
To reproach, and forgetfulness is simply absent?
Gray hair shows in my head, while my beard
Is scattered by the uncertainties of time.
Mishaps befall me, yet I fear them not, for
No fear exists for me; my treasure is praiseworthy.
There exists a king to whom fate bends as though
Fate has decreed what must occur.
A ruler of days had tranquility,
Yet his heart shakes with events.
People’s aspirations have lessened while he is educated,
And the minds of people have become sharp, and he is pointed.
Humanity, stripped of advocates, took to the dawn,
For noble deeds and high virtues remain.
He examined affairs from the corner of his eye,
With a determination that lights the way and a thought that ignites.
A lion in battle, his swords
Truly pierce his enemies and grant safety.
His courage overwhelms in dire circumstances,
As it pierced the heart of the foe while he falters.
And his steadfastness against calamities shines
From the time we encounter and a clearer viewpoint.
O noble descendants of Mehran, by the kingship that
Lies beyond his ambition, like Sirius and Al-Borak.
The generous bestows wealth, unwavering,
And the dew repays his joy when it flourishes.
He possesses generous gifts; they do not dim,
And among them, benevolence does not deny.
He is moved by the praises until
He revels in the verses of the homage sung.
Intoxicated by the recitation of poetry, as if
It were a melody, he sings and exalts.
O king whose existence
Brought life to creation, indeed, it warrants praise.
If you were not among people, generosity would not exist
For anyone to desire or for any honorable to approach.
Congratulations on the holiday that you have brought,
To great happiness and for people who have been enriched.
So sacrifice, and do not sacrifice your enemies, for truly
Their enmity harbors numerous defects.
And be safe to live in your proximity,
For all around you averted and withheld is envy.
Poem: Visit Buthaina, for the Beloved is Absent
By Jameel Buthaina:
Visit Buthaina, for the beloved is absent,
Indeed, the visit for the beloved is easy.
To part is torment, as we wear the chains of fate,
And our destinies are claimed by the dawn.
I went to her at twilight while she was sad,
Complaining to me of her longing and patience.
And she says, “Stay with me tonight,
For I wish to complain to you, for that is easy.”
She has a face as fair as the moon, and her conversation,
Is like pearls that were scattered and shine.
When they adorn their waists and hold their waists high,
The separation brings me anguish and sorrow.
Her beauty is not merely beauty, nor is her charm mere adornment,
Nor is her dignity merely respectful.
Indeed, my tongue is entrusted to mention her,
While my heart grieves and my thoughts stir.
And if I repay your kindness with similar affection,
Then I, O Buthaina, truly deserve it.
Poem: They Departed, and Their Suns Set
By Ibn Al-Sa’ati:
They departed, and their suns set,
And my heart aches from restlessness.
The lightning smiles upon my fire,
And the clouds weep for my tears.
The rain has brought to life their remnants,
And I long for your abode, O my friend.
And her attire has become a rag,
For she stumbles through the dunes.
So here, I have grievances to report,
Of a heart struck by love, which affected me deeply.
Oh, how often do I see them pulling away
And clenching my restless heart.
What has caused such affliction?
The eyes make wounds deeper by gazing.
And woe to me, for they have stripped me bare,
And delusions sing the song of nonexistence.
After them, my breath hastens,
And my tears flow freely.
With grief in my chest, I suffer,
While the lover faces the trials of love.
He is like coffee: bitter but sweet,
Yet when you draw near, bitterness may arise.
O you who deny the cup of affection,
Is it strength that keeps you from it, or perhaps anger?
As if you have silver mixed with gold,
And you consume its goodness by leaving it untouched.
You arrived, and your hands stained with henna,
It seems as if they captured that essence.
A wonder, your lovers are so engrossed,
They have become intoxicated without even tasting.
Is that how love does not allow them to yield?
You possess beauty, but the ones longing cannot reach it.
With you, they wither, and just like the sun,
You mirror the full moon in your grace.
Never has parting left, not even a tear,
To fall upon you or to spill.
Like the brave heart of Salah al-Din,
He gave generously, he shall not grasp a second’s pause.
Poem: Is Your Departure or Meeting Death More Difficult?
By Khalil Al-Yazji:
Is your departure, or meeting death more difficult?
Is your farewell, or the heart’s farewell more valid?
Meeting death is easier for me, while my heart
I bid farewell and leave it to be tormented.
He is the cause of the troubles that afflict me,
And all will be repaid for the sin that they cause.
May God forbid there is no sin upon him,
For he is indeed merciful; is it said he has sinned?
I perceive him to be kind, considering that
By loving him, I have become esteemed.
And I boast with pride that I am counted
Among those devoted to you in union.
And when I find favor with you,
Indeed, a servant accepted by the glorious Lord.
If I think of you, my soul almost melts,
As the heart from my depths cries out in warmth.
Greeting you with peace at all times,
With the softest words and the most pleasant.
And the breeze continues to bring me
Peace, for the breeze remains near.
Indeed, the moment of parting has come, yes, but
Your departure, or meeting death is more challenging.
Poem: Will the Time of Union Return?
By Ibn Nabata Al-Saadi:
Will the time of union, I wonder, return,
Or like our star, appear in Ramah?
Those who fear parting have taken flight,
And part of the living wanders and is mourned.
If they knew what fate has awaited us,
They would mourn from the glances and bids of farewell.
I mourned my dignity after them, and I am weary,
My resolve in adversity is gathering dust.
Today I am deceived by mirages, for I hope to attain
What has rendered my heart a cage.
What the sword of the Hashemite kingdom could not imagine,
Is that I would tremble into something after it.
I have defied its plans, while fate takes its course,
Time shapes what it desires and creates.
I left it, calling at the utmost of his voice,
Believing that I am oblivious and cannot hear.
May the efforts not deter me from my intentions,
Until my cheek and eye show their intent.
Do not distance our hearts from the bonds,
And forget not what makes us suffer in this world.
And my words to them in Tarbat of Manbij,
While our throats shine like spears gleaming.
Do not hesitate to offer your souls for a stand,
For the place would not be better captured.
Prepared and ready, Qais retreats,
When he sees the people of Abs returning.