[When you were around]

^{translated from the Arabic by Abdullah al-Udhari} 

1 

When you were around I used to wander about with you as my wings and shield. 

2 

But now I bow even to the meek and palm back those who wrong me. 

3 

The dove that recalls its loss on a branch at night triggers my daily grief.

  قد كنتَ ذاتَ حميّةٍ ما عشتَ لي

أمشي البَراحَ وأنتَ كنتَ جَناحي

فاليومَ أخضعُ للضّعيف وأتّقي

 منه وآدفعُ ظالمي بالرّاح

وإذا دعَتْ قُمريّة شجناً لها

ليلًا على فَننٍ بَكيْتُ صَباحي