Tag Archives: ghazal

We have waited all night for you, and now the dawn is come.
From distant places we came—there can be no returning home.

Click here to read the full ghazal #1 and commentary.

What God or gods or men will care to hear our tale—
Blind witless fellows on waves’ way who weep and rail?

Click here to read the full ghazal #2 and commentary.

Well have you called yourself the Ocean of Mercy—
For your shadow the sea has now rejected us,

Click here to read the full ghazal #3 and commentary.

Love loves not those whom love fattens, but makes destitute.
From the orchard’s winter ruin burgeons the summer fruit.

Click here to read the full ghazal #4 and commentary.

Though fate a thousand times makes you a pawn in its game—do not give up:
Cling like a child to the skirt of your Beloved’s name.

Click here to read the full ghazal #5 and commentary.

There are many gods and one God. How shall we find him?
The search is not ours; foot without nerve-message is a dead limb.

Click here to read the full ghazal #6 and commentary.

All the world loves a lover; from his lips their song is sung.
Youth is the time of greenness; but age should gild a man’s tongue.

Click here to read the full ghazal #7 and commentary.

We have stolen our eyes to admire the passing clouds,
And sold our fingers to seamstresses to sew our shrouds.

Click here to read the full ghazal #8 and commentary.

You warned us that on this path was nothing but pain,
And we glibly assented, but now we complain.

Click here to read the full ghazal #9 and commentary.