I saw a gazelle today wandering alone on the way,
running scared in the desert— the Arabs called her a jinn!
If she could be bought I’d spare a hundred sultanis!
I saw a gazelle today that tormented me, O listeners!
Even though I could spare a hundred that won’t be enough!
As I look into her eyes I feel I have to sing about her
for all beauty is hers— she’s torturing me, O listeners!
I saw a gazelle today that tormented me, O listeners!
All beauty’s gone to her— she with the languid eyes!
The perfect body— which sets my heart ablaze!
Her forehead—a shiny full moon makes me shiver with love!
I saw a gazelle today that tormented me, O listeners!
Eyebrows & eyelashes like swords; jewels hanging down a shiny forehead.
I stared at her all the time feeling crazy about her!
I’ve lost my mind, I’m sure— should you try, you’ll forgive me!
I saw a gazelle today that tormented me, O listeners!
When I keep silent, my friends, I can hear demons inside me!
I hear a string plucked in my head but no one starts singing!
In spite of the oud & wine in the glass I find no one to entertain me!
I saw a gazelle today that tormented me, O listeners!
Fall in love & you’ll see what I had to go through because of this gazelle
I once met on my way & since then she’s driven me crazy!
When I cry no one feels any pity! When I stifle my pain it hurts so much!
I saw a gazelle today that tormented me, O listeners!
What can I do? I need help! No description fits her beauty!
This gazelle is so gorgeous my words can’t describe her!
Her hair’s soft as silk & black as a Sudanese!
I saw a gazelle today that tormented me, O listeners!
Black, yellow, & of all colors! Her eyes do cast a spell!
Her neck’s a fine bough from a ben tree or the stem of a lily!
Her mouth an agate or pure gold set with coral!
I saw a gazelle today that tormented me, O listeners!
When will this fire be quenched O you who understand my poem?
I didn’t know I’d roam the high seas when my pirate took me on that schooner!
I beg the merciful Lord forgive my sins!
I saw a gazelle today that tormented me, O listeners!
Be kind to me, O friends! Look for the bough of the ben tree
the one who lives beyond my reach in the district of Laqran!
She left me with a tormented mind— O Lord, give me patience!
I saw a gazelle today that tormented me, O listeners!

Translation by Abdelfetah Chenni