The Comforter Is Gone

My patience fled, my heart deserted me the moment my beloved left. What remedy can I find now that the one who was my remedy is gone? She mounted her horse and deliberately took the reins again, turned her face toward us helpless ones, and rode away once more. The spring of my eyes wept so much blood that the worn cloak of my hypocrisy was washed clean out of prayer. Except for dreams of her figure, her hair, and the tale of longing, every other lingering thought has left my mind. I used to guard myself carefully against people's blame, but now my story has passed far beyond all caution. What grief, what pain: apart from my beloved and worn down by the world's sorrow, my life slipped away, and truth was lost while I chased illusions. Obeyd, wailing like a caravan bell does no good now, for the whole caravan, bell and all, has left without waiting.