يا ضعيف الجفونِ أضعفت قلبا – صفي الدين الحلي

Poem Translation:

O tender lids! thy softness did unchain
A heart once firm, unshaken by love’s pain.
Wage not thy gaze against my trembling breast —
Two weaknesses shall conquer strength at best.

Poem Explanation:

The poet addresses the beloved, marveling at how their seemingly weak, soft eyes have managed to weaken his once-strong heart. He gently asks them not to “attack” his heart with their gaze — for though both his heart and their eyes are “weak,” together, their weakness forms an overwhelming force that triumphs over strength. It’s a clever poetic twist on the paradox of gentle things having great power in love.