I Am Patient...

I am patient with them, and patience endured,
I may for my patience receive favour.

Because of a beloved for whom the heart weeps,
The flood of the eye did not cease.

For him the heart in its lair quivered,
Seeing the prey high in the sky.

Of the finest complexion, in his appearance perfected,
Like roses in a flowerbed blossoming.

He has upon him like nightfall descending,
When his locks tumble to his shoulders.

His eyes, the eyes of the kohled lanner,
And a cheek lightens lightning its sheen.

Of trim abdomen and slim waist,
A body embellished as detailed.

I forever cry over him and summon,
And my heart suffering did its anguish intensify.

And his love permeated all through me,
And crept through all of my veins.

Invaded me your love and love may kill,
Suffers in love my heart and in its loss.

I love you above all others,
Obey and hearken with care.

Oh my friend, one such as I suffered a great deal,
Invaded by love potently and apace.

Worries deep in my heart accumulated,
And depart solitarily or in bursts.

* 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