O Beirut, do not hesitate
Say: I love you,
So that my tomorrow may embrace me,
If you knew how much separation torments me,
You would open your arms and end my wandering
I have spent my life like the wind, a wanderer
But your face has always been my destination
You promised me!
I am still waiting for the meeting
And my soul yearns to embrace the stars
My fingers long to touch the stars
Is the first meeting in space?
Since I mastered speech,
You have been my poem,
Come, sing...
What is poetry if you do not sing?
Your arts shone like the suns in their brilliance,
They imitated you...
But you did not imitate them
My letters slept and awoke as stars
O pearl of creativity... your name is my glory,
All cities have lost their address
Except you, Beirut...
O tattoo of the hand
Religion with you is mercy and love
Who can blame me if I take you as my temple?
Cities bowed down to tyrants in flattery
But to the Lord of the Universe...
You did not bow down.
The histories of nations concealed their texts
When they saw in you the celebration of my glory,
I have loved you... since my smile shone forth:
You were love, and your love was my master
**
