Number 22

Number 22

GhazalIraqi style

English

Whatever happens, from the depths of the sea to the height of the sky, no one can say why the one who makes it happen does what he does, or how. This separation has dragged on too long, past all endurance; if my heart stays in this state, then woe is me. This burning fire I carry in my head will melt me away, head to foot, like a candle. So tell me, my heart-warming love, what happened, what went wrong? For once, look my way, at this servant of yours. It is your glance they mean when they speak of the good life; it is your breath they mean when they say, 'the one who revives the dead.' How long will arrows of blame keep flying from every side? The arrow is clear enough, but the hand and bow that shoot it stay hidden. Why should Qasemi grieve over the scolding of enemy or friend? Loving was my heart's portion from the very beginning of time.

Explanation: The phrase 'the one who revives the dead' echoes a Quranic image of God bringing the dead back to life, here applied to the beloved's life-giving power. 'Qasemi' is the poet's pen name.

Original · Persian

شمارهٔ ۲۲

هرچه آن می رود از حد سمک تا بسما فاعلش را نتوان گفت که چونست و چرا؟

نوبت هجر مطول شد و ز اندازه گذشت گر درین حال بماند دل من واویلا

من ازین آتش سوزنده که در سر دارم همچو شمعم همگی محو کند سر تا پا

آخر، ای یار دل افروز، چه بودست و چه شد؟ نظری کن بسوی بنده خود احیانا

نظر تست که گویند: حیات طیب نفس تست که گویند: «که یحیی الموتا»

تا بکی تیر ملامت رسد از هر سویی؟ تیر پیداست ولی شست و کمان ناپیدا

قاسمی را چه غم از سرزنش دشمن و دوست عشقبازی ز ازل گشت نصیب دل ما