Number 14

RubāʿīIraqi style
English

Number 14

How long will I keep lighting the flame of remembrance with a spirit that's grown cold? How long will I sing your praises with a heart this withered? I let the prayer I never offered slip away, but if I have life left, I'll make up for what I've done.
Explanation: The poem plays on 'qaza,' the Islamic idea of making up a missed prayer, turning it into a wider regret over lost devotion.

Original · Persian

شمارهٔ ۱۴

تا چند فروز ذکر افسرده کنم تا کی صفتت با دل پژمرده کنم
ناکرده نماز را قضا کردم لیک گر عمر بود قضای این کرده کنم