ترنج [Toranj] [English translation]

"Where are you coming from”, they questioned, “that you seem so disturbed?"

“A stranger from the city of the acquaintances”, I replied

“What is on your mind”, they asked, “that has made you lose your mind?"

“Begging your love”, I replied, “ 'tis the only thing on my mind”

“What breed of bird are you”, they questioned, “to sing such a melody?"

“َA melodious one from the garden of the voiceless”, I replied

“Get drunk”, they urged, “so that you may break free from the constraints of life"

“With wine indeed”, I replied, " I freed myself from me"

“You’d not be worth a grain ”, they cautioned, “if you’d seek piety and repentance”

“I've repented of abstinence and piety”, I replied

“How do you see our allure”, they questioned?

“Like a pile of flowers in the banquet of coquetry”, I replied

“I am that bergamot ”, they said, “which befits not in this world”

“Even better than bergamot you are”, I replied, “yet unattainable”

“Why then like a tiny particle have a romance with love”, they questioned?

“Intoxicated with love”, I replied, “that is why”

“What does Khwaju see in our eyes”, they questioned?

“The tale of the drunken is a divine enigma”, I replied!

• Artist:Mohsen Namjoo