Cleanse with hail the heart of a lover about to die,
Once a mind leads him, he has lost his guidance.

Awake, unsleeping until his eyelid froze,
Weeping sleepless throughout the night.

My heart's fervour flares up ever and again,
Bringing pain and passion, sobs and screams.

Were my heart to bow before your beauty and worship in your love,
And passion become belief it would be for you too little.

Each time night steals memory of her away it returns again,
Ailment upon ailment, who can treat the ailing?

Midst avoidance and acceptance the drowsy-eyed one shot,
A fleeting look that struck dead the one seen.

After his sweet promises my beloved disobeyed,
He showed no mercy to that heart, its beloved journeyed far.

Sleeplessness got bored of me - if a sleepless man sleeps?
Sweet sleep taken by a doe with kohl-rimmed eyes.

He took me for a bargain and for my love paid little heed,
His deeds should be as seemly as his face.

He has the lion's share of my heart without a doubt,
My eyes forever look his way and nothing would replace his love.

When I approach he shies away and when I withdraw he threatens,
By this subtlety was I confused so which way should I incline?

Impossible to be far from him which my tears witness,
You, oh my life, nearness to you is impossible.

* It is a tradition in Arabic love poems and songs to use the masculine pronoun or possessive term (he, him or his) when referring to a woman.