O Suitor of Amber Coffee
O suitor of amber coffee, at her expense,
you take a pound of it for a full measure of gold.
You have fallen short with wine, so beware of making her hear,
lest the vine swear not to bear grapes anymore.
When I beheld her, I offered her a measure
of precious pearls and rubies, which were not intruded upon.
She was startled and wept in the cellar, saying:
“O Mother, I fear the flames and the heat.”
I replied: “Fear it not, for we are safe here.”
She asked: “And what about the sun?” I said: “The heat has vanished.”
She inquired: “Then who is my suitor?” I replied: “That would be me.”
She queried: “And what about my husband?” I said: “The water, if it is pure.”
She remarked: “What about my lineage?” I answered: “It is as cold as snow.”
She continued: “And my home, what of the wood?” I replied: “It is the bottles and glasses that the Pharaoh has produced.”
She complained: “You have stirred a longing within me.”
Do not let me fall prey to the drunkard who consumes me,
nor the vile man who frowns upon me if he gets a whiff.
Neither the Magians, for their god is fire,
nor the Jews, nor anyone who worships stone.
And neither the lowly who remain oblivious,
nor the ignorant youth, nor the ones lacking in manners,
except for the few who may honor me,
from among the drinkers, but give me the wine.
O coffee! It is forbidden except for a man
who spends lavishly, squandering wealth and frivolity.
Proceed to the Distant Space
Proceed to the distant space,
for the deceiver has appeared among the crowd.
This is the son of Nabuchadnezzar, with authority
as a scribe and a keeper of gates.
The Unfortunate One Approached a Home
The unfortunate one approached a home, asking about it,
and I stumbled to inquire about the local tavern.
God does not ease my eyes from the tears caused by stone,
nor does it heal the heart that yearns for its stake.
They said: “You mentioned the dwelling of the clan of Asad;”
I replied: “Verily, tell me about the people of Asad.”
And who are Tamim and Qays and their kin,
for the nomads are not placed among God’s chosen.
Leave this behind. Drink it mature,
the yellow wine that rises between the water and foam.
From the palm of the fire, tempered,
like a branch of the tree that bends without faltering.
When his father saw me seated for him,
he greeted me and knew I was the one ruining his cup.
He brought me a drink, nothing was wasted,
nor can it be owned except hand in hand.
Share generously with what your hands possess,
do not withhold anything today for fear of tomorrow’s poverty.
What a distance between one who buys wine for pleasure
and one who mourns over a lofty, splendid abode.
O my accuser, a thought has reached me from you,
if you were to pardon it with kindness, do not return.
If your reproach was sincere advice, I would accept it,
but your blame is borne out of envy.
Captivating Eyes and Cheeks
Captivating eyes and cheeks,
well proportioned in stature and shape.
As for my eyes from his cheek,
they are immersed in the paradise of eternity.
Your glance is enchanting; I said: “My tears, then,
are often struck more than limits allow.”
O Home, What Has Time Done to You?
O home! What has time done to you?
It has pressed upon you, while the days cannot be oppressed.
Time has encircled those whom you once knew,
the dwellers who resided in you, with time’s insistence.
Days when I do not approach your people
save under the watchful cover of darkness.
I have mingled mischief with their drawing water,
and exposed the folly of the entertainment they indulge in.
And I have achieved what no man would attain in his youth,
for all that remains is a burden of sins.
And I have endured the peril of every danger,
in fear and audacity.
As the camels fall behind, as if they are
a line moving forward, with her leading the way.
And if the camels reach us, it would be a journey to Muhammad,
but their folds among the men are constrained.
This brings us closer to the finest of those who tread the stones,
so her honor remains bound to us.
The veil has been lifted for us, and a moon shines
through which illusions cannot penetrate.
A king, if your hands should grasp the rope of authority,
will avoid being touched by distress or deprivation.
A king who stands singularly in merits and height,
an individual whose greatness is mirrored in the brave.
A king, whose appearance captivates as long as you meet with his face;
you would encounter only exaltation and reverence.
Thus, the grand hall was filled with the brilliance of leadership,
the light of Islam adorned the youth.
The descendant of the tribe, when he gripped his sword,
held the skulls, and standing proudly.
Indeed, the One who is pleased by his guidance,
is a king, who took the throne while still a youth.
A king, when he measures deeds, his opinions prevail,
he disarms the sword as if it were made of silk.
He heals the hearts from their blindness,
until they awaken, and there is no longer a malady within them.
O son of Zubeida, daughter of Ja’far,
may you bond your ropes of commitment securely.
You have embraced the matters for which hope is sought,
while the days have recoiled from your desires.