Number 4

RubāʿīIraqi style
English

Number 4

There, where every sign dissolves into signlessness, the finger of imagination rests upon its lips, hushed. There, a flirting glance keeps its arrow drawn in the bow; beware, do not go, for there your very life is at risk.
Explanation: The finger on the lips is a gesture of astonished silence. The 'flirting glance' is the beloved's coquettish look, a classic Persian image where the eye's arrow wounds the lover.

Original · Persian

شمارهٔ ۴

جایی که نشان بی نشانست آنجا انگشت خیال بر دهانست آنجا
از غمزه خدنگ در کمانست آنجا زنهار مرو که بیم جانست آنجا