O Delight of My Eyes, the Eyes Adore You
- Quoting Ibn al-Abbar al-Balensi:
O delight of my eyes, the gaze longs for you,
It finds no solace except in your sight.
For my Lord, my pupils have ceased to yearn,
Except for your radiance and the sweetness of your abode.
The sun has been outshone by your beauty,
And since you appeared, it has never set from your face.
Do not adorn yourself in jewelry and fine garments,
For beauty shall overshadow all your adornments.
You are the occupation of my eyes, whether I fear betrayal from you,
And you occupy my heart, even if I do not hope to meet you.
The intoxication of wine cannot compare to your warmth,
And I have succumbed to its sweetness through your passion.
You were named beautiful when you were singled out for it,
Thus, your name corresponds perfectly with your beauty.
By God, none shall reproach me
For transgressing against you, while indeed you are beloved.
I fear your anger just as I plead for you to be pleased,
How often I plead, O you, while I tremble before you!
I weep for our separation, deathly sorrow if slumber denies me,
O the burden my eyes have suffered from your gaze!
How strange is the era that hopes to make me forget,
Your love is neither ignorance nor, by God, will I forget you!
How can I forget promises from earlier days?
I cannot bear mentioning them without recalling you.
And how many nights we spent in silence,
Sharing whispers and complaints about what torments your heart.
I concealed my love from jealous observers,
Yet the musk of my feelings revealed your secrets.
The scarf sang of your curves, indulging in joy,
Drawing attention to the beauty of your silhouette.
And I held back desire with earnestness until,
Against every instinct, I still found my heart drawn to you.
Alas, for one who meets the fierce lions,
On the day of battle, he falters when he sees you.
Complaining of harm while lamenting a veiled beauty,
Legs that are unscathed, marvel at one who has become weak.
The Rose in His Cheeks
- Quoting Abu Firas al-Hamdani:
The rose in his cheeks,
And magic in his eyes;
If my tongue disobeys him,
My heart yields to his commands.
O cruel one, I know not,
Do I pray for him or against him?
I turn to Allah for what,
I have endured in longing for you.
His Love and the Sky and the Star
- Quoting Al-Qadi Al-Fadhil:
I love him alongside the sky and the star,
A pure love, one I dare not call a lover.
There is no eye but to which I dedicate,
And utter praises to my Creator.
No reproof shall deter my thoughts,
And nothing shall obstruct my devotion.
O beloved, in my ears, a polite charm,
And in my eyes, a reflection of your brilliance.
Your gaze carries weight; I attest to it,
Yet they have denied my testimony because of your misdeeds.
You have stolen my heart, and your eyes have confessed,
Nothing can hide the secret of a thief.
What Do I Have But the Breeze as a Messenger to You?
- Quoting the Nightingale of Love, Al-Hajri:
What do I have but the breeze to convey to you?
Telling of the desires of love, it speaks.
Without your closeness, for the longing it weeps,
White roses flourish, and the steeds neigh.
My heart is completely overwhelmed with pain,
It cannot be quenched until you are close.
If the days of your presence were to be sold,
I would purchase them with my blood, for that is little in your love.
And even if my hands fall short of reaching you,
Longing stirs within me, a deep sorrow for you.
Your captivating beauty has filled hearts, and there are no bounds,
Except where your love has left a victim.
Whenever I speak your name, a pang arises,
It wanders between the folds of my ribs.
They have called you the ideal standard of beauty,
For no one else can match your loveliness.
My very soul rejoices in the beauty of your figure,
And your honeyed lips intoxicate like wine.
Even those who oppose me in my affections do not know,
That my heart is your retreat and solace.
They saw you as the ultimate goal I sought, so they readied,
For the separation, a preparedness that knows no bounds.
A Charming Face Like Dawn
- Quoting Ibn Khafajah:
I flirted with him, for his beloved face resembles dawn,
There is nothing more beautiful than the blush on his cheek.
He stammered at the very mention of his shyness,
A branch of brocade draping gently along his side.
You would think he is surrounded by glowing stars,
Burning beneath the radiance of the sun.
I was astounded; his eyes were pools of water, and my heart was aflame,
How did these two find a path in their paradise?
A Breeze that Heals the Ailing
- Quoting Ibn Zaydun:
And a gentle breeze that heals the ailing heart,
Fragrant with sweetened breaths of blossoms.
With a delicate finger pointed toward me,
Leading to a poignant gaze, enchanting and mesmerizing.
A freshness lingered from her era, embraced in branches,
Adorned with musky aromas from her fragrant nature.
If he were to offer jasmine with his hand,
I would take the blooming stars from his palms.
He possesses a kind spirit, a beautiful soul,
And charm akin to the sweetness of musk or the ecstasy of wine.
My heart becomes elated from the joy of his words,
Like longing, and reunion after separation.
A Gaze Cast with Magic into the Heart
- Quoting Ibn al-Rumi:
Her glance casts spells upon my heart and soul,
While her face showcases the allure of both sin and innocence.
She possesses a figure like a bending branch,
Loaded with the weight of waving dunes and shifting sands.
Each time she rises, her curls beckon,
With movements as soft as a gentle evening breeze.
Her smile reveals two strings of pearls from a cloud’s bounty,
It drowns in sweetness, both musky and enchanting.
She wears anklets, their clinks charmingly resonant,
Her garments cinched beautifully at her waist.
Cleverly crafted like fair sisters, she shines like a star,
Pure maidens unbeheld by the moon’s shadow.
Her curls dance like gazelles; her eyes are gazes of innocence,
Each breath of desire brings new meaning to our encounters.
When she draws near, our souls feel quenched,
As the earth receives drops of rain from the sky.
They swear to never break our bond across the ages,
Through the passage of time, remaining steadfast.
If we claim mastery over the ties that bind us,
Time stands against us, playful amidst lovers’ seasons.
With conflicting whispers and hidden temptations,
They rush forth, revealing our deepest secrets.
Lovers contend amongst themselves, seeking solace,
As thirsty seekers chase naught but fading roses.
Fate has scattered our once-unified circle,
Orchestrating events that keep us at a distance.
Every new endeavor soon crumbles to dust,
For destiny reigns as the ultimate creator.
And the nights, ever watchful over mankind,
With vows unraveling, leaving no trace beholders.
Whosoever fails to attain the treasures of nobility,
Sees his wealth as fodder for envious hearts.
The youth flourishes when virtue fills his attire,
True patience, the third of life’s finest gifts.