Fragment No. 1

Iraqi style
English

Fragment No. 1

When you reach Shiraz, morning breeze, take this letter and carry my greetings to my loved ones. Though I cannot bear to be away from my friend's face, I endure it only because I must, like a fish enduring life out of water.
Explanation: The first couplet is in Arabic, addressing the morning breeze as a messenger. The fish out of water image conveys that this patience is impossible and lethal.

Original · Persian

قطعه شمارهٔ ۱

مَتیٰ حَلَلْتَ بِشیراز یا نَسیمَ الصُّبْح خُذِ الْکِتابَ وَ بَلِّغْ سَلامیَ الْأَحْباب
اگر چه صبرِ من از روی دوست ممکن نیست همی کنم به ضرورت، چو صبرِ ماهی از آب