https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqSS7O7zKsM Translation: O you whose beautiful face is the envy of the idols of Azar (Abraham’s father and famous idol maker); However I describe you, your beauty is still lovelier. All over the world have I traveled; many a maiden’s love have I tasted; Many a beauty have I seen; but you are…
You make me forget myself…
Amir Khusro Translation: I dressed myself up to go see my Love but when I saw him, I forgot myself you robbed me of everything when our eyes met You made me drink love’s elixir and I got drunk when our eyes met My fair arms with green bangles you took by the…
Don’t ignore my sorry state
One of the most popular of Amir Khusrau’s ghazal’s this poem features lines of alternating Persian and Hindavi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGp6kSGc3Ck Translation: Do not ignore my sorry state She rolls her eyes and makes excuses For I cannot bear this separation Why won’t she take me in her arms? Long like curls are the nights of…
You left, but stayed in my heart
Amir Khusro My heart left me, but longing for you won’t leave my heart My heart broke apart, but the pain of you won’t lessen The moon at night rises opposite your face but the day will never come when the moon can oppose it My face is pale gold, and I grind it with…
It is love, so surrender
Ibn al-Fāriḍ Translation: It is love, so surrender your body—passion is not easy One stricken by it would not choose it, had he reason So live without it, for love’s ease is hard it’s beginning is sickness, and its end is death But for me, dying in love longingly for the one I love, is…
Hafez: Minstrel vs. Philosopher
The minstrel played a melody from the pain of love that covered the philosopher’s eyelashes in blood -Hafez Translation: For years I pawned my book for wine, the rowdiness of the tavern was from my teaching and praying See the goodness of the Magian Pīr: Whatever we drunks did was…
Hafez: the rose began to burn
If you have news of the state of the heart, tell me! or if you have any idea of where He is, tell me! I know death, but until to alley of the Friend if you have a shortcut, tell me! -Rumi Original: گر ز حال دل خبر داری بگو ور نشانی مختصر داری بگو مرگ را…
Drunk eyes…
Amir Khusro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMltaO1tFso Translation: This eternal pain has left me broken One glance of your drunken eyes and I lost my faith My life is now a tale of the past Spent, and sacrificed at the temple of you O wondrous intoxicating eyes, o wondrous long locks O wondrous worshipper of wine, o…
Amir Khusrow and Ḥallāj: two in one
Amir KhusrowEnglish Translation:I have become you, and you me,I am the body, you, the soul;So that no one can say hereafter,That you are someone, and I, someone else. Orginal (transliteration):Mun tu shudam tu mun shudi,mun tun shudam tu jaan shudiTaakas na guyad baad azeen, mun deegaram tu deegari Ḥallāj I am He whom…
Tonight I learned that you would come
Another poem of Amir Khusrow: Translation: Tonight I heard that you, oh beloved, would come – Be my head sacrificed to the road along which you will come riding! All the gazelles of the desert have put their heads on their hands In the hope that one day you will come to hunt them…. The…