When human beings went to sleep
And there was no light!
And the house was dark
Araweelo [a mythical Somali queen] came to me [and told me]
“get up and have a look at the flower
that I have put in the warm area”
I got my hopes up
When I opened the door
I saw the sky camel [constellation] last night
I thought it was you and
[For] a while, I circled around it

A virgin [lit. ‘virginity’] is bashful
I shy away
I cannot express it clearly and
Nor can I convey my love through a messenger
Can love be expressed/announced publicly?

A soul thirsty for love
Is vulnerable to criticism
Like a she-camel whose calf has died and has
been made to suckle another calf
I cry out
When I set my sights on
The boy I chose
I sometimes say to myself
Wait for a while
And other times, I say to myself
Never approach him
But I cannot control myself

Should I stay away from him
I am like a she-camel who is crying after her
calf who has been tied under a wood hut
Being a girl is full of surprises!
I decided to stay away from him
And preserve my dignity,
I cry for my soul
Because of sad memories
Deep in my heart [lit. in my womb and stomach]
Lie wounds
I cannot forget him