Hide the secret of our love — hide it,

and keep the pledge of a heart in which you dwell.

Do not tell our secret to the shining stars;

I fear for it, lest you give it away.

Do not tell the murmurings of hearts,

or the lover's words to the beloved.

Shall the talebearers win a meeting with you,

while my share is... that you not be my share?

Do not tell our secret to lifeless things;

do not lay open the sanctities of the heart.

Suspicions among your kin have parted us:

I am in one valley and you in another.

Flame of love — you are my water and my food;

flame of love — beware lest you die.

Without you I am a brook without water,

a lamp without wick or oil.

Do not think, when I recall our passion,

that I hope from you for pity and tenderness.

What lay between us was an old love —

so count it as though it had never been...

I cannot forget you,

and my heart persists in your memory.

I sing — while in my life there is an emptiness —

of meeting you: and I do not want to meet you.

Do you say: a mad poet?

Then tell me, what is love?

My heart went mad with love of one it never knew,

and it was said of old: madness has its arts.

Let reason judge for a moment, and hear me;

come with me to a sober verdict:

if it is you who erred — may God forgive you,

and if I am the one at fault... forgive me!!

Salim Mufarrij

Buenos Aires