Ghazal 1

Ghazal 1

GhazalIraqi style

English

That playful beauty's flirting glance killed me, though I was innocent; the apple of that dimpled chin threw me down a well. I became the slave of the dark mole on that face, not knowing that a black beauty spot would take me captive. My heart was steady and my mind was sound, but the way that beloved walked led my heart astray. A thousand times I fell into the snare of my eyes and heart, and still I have not learned my lesson. I cannot turn my face away from that love, even if grass were to sprout from the dust of my grave. If I die from the beloved's cruelty I will come alive again, if only that gaze looks on me with kindness. Obayd, do not give up hope in the beloved's grace, for that generous kindness is my only hope.

Explanation: The 'apple of the chin' is a classic Persian image for a rounded, dimpled chin; the well recalls the story of Joseph, suggesting the lover is cast down and trapped. The dark mole ('Hindu slave') is a stock metaphor for a captivating beauty spot.

Original · Persian

غزل شمارهٔ ۱

بکشت غمزهٔ آن شوخ، بی‌گناه مرا فکند سیب زنخدان او به چاه مرا

غلام هندوی خالش شدم ندانستم کاسیر خویش کند زنگی سیاه مرا

دلم بجا و دماغم سلیم بود ولی ز راه رفتن او دل بشد ز راه مرا

هزار بار فتادم به دام دیده و دل هنوز هیچ نمی‌باشد انتباه مرا

ز مهر او نتوانم که روی برتابم ز خاک گور اگر بردمد گیاه مرا

به جور او چو بمیرم ز نو شوم زنده اگر به چشم عنایت کند نگاه مرا

عبید از کرم یار بر مدار امید که لطف شامل او بس امیدگاه مرا