Longing in Poverty

QitʿaIraqi style
English

Longing in Poverty

You coin, dusty from the mine you came from, without you, life itself is forbidden to me. You comfort of the soul, strength of the heart, you source of every pleasure and delight. How long must Obeyd go on without you, his body surrendered to helplessness and want?
Explanation: The poem satirically addresses money (aqcheh, an old coin) as if it were a beloved. Obeyd refers to the poet Obeyd Zakani, who often speaks of himself by name.

Original · Persian

شمارهٔ ۲۲ - در حسرت بی پولی گوید

ای اقچه گرد روی کانی ای بی تو حرام زندگانی
ای راحت جان و قوت دل ای مایهٔ عیش و کامرانی
تا کی باشد عبید بی تو تن داده به عجز و ناتوانی