Number 10

Literary Return
English

Number 10

If fate tears me away from that one perfect pearl, I'll become like an empty shell, my whole body wringing its hands in regret. I fear that the fire your love kindles above my head will slowly wear me down and bring me to my knees, like a candle.
Explanation: The 'pearl' is the beloved, and an empty shell stands for grief; in Persian, an open shell evokes hands clasped in sorrow. The candle melting away pictures a slow death from longing.

Original · Persian

شمارهٔ ۱۰

گر فلک سازد جدا از آن گوهر یکتا مرا چون صدف گردد کف افسوس سرتاپا مرا
ترسم آن آتش که از عشق تو سوزد بر سرم رفته‌رفته افکند مانند شمع از پا مرا