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Desert of Love

Before thee, flowers hold no grace,
Where ruby shines not as the lips' own face.

Though flawed, yet thoughts of union dwell,
I seek a lover, whose beauty casts its spell.

From patient heart, my steadfast will thou took’st,
And suddenly alone, my soul thou forsook’st.

Within love’s desert I wander lost, my dear,
And from thy thorny grief my feet are seared.

In longing for thy visage, tears do stream,
Like flowing waters near that precious gleam.

Each soul that longs for union, like a flame,
Burns every part of themselves in thy name.

O hope of lovers in the tavern’s hall!
From thy fair visage lift the veil, and call.


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Explanatory Footnotes:

flowers hold no grace – Flowers seem insignificant or lack beauty compared to the beloved

ruby / lips' own face – Refers to the red, radiant color of the beloved’s lips

Though flawed – Indicates the speaker is guilty, imperfect, or “tardaman” (metaphorically sinful)

thoughts of union dwell – The persistent longing and fantasies of being united with the beloved

I seek a lover, whose beauty casts its spell – The speaker desires a beloved whose beauty is enchanting from head to foot

patient heart / steadfast will – The lover’s enduring patience and resilience

forsook’st – Suddenly abandoning or leaving the lover alone

love’s desert – A metaphorical “wilderness” of love; a difficult, endless emotional landscape

thorny grief / feet are seared – The pain and hardships of love that wound the lover, like walking on thorns

tears do stream / flowing waters near that precious gleam – The lover is in deep sorrow and longing, comparing tears to a flowing river; “precious gleam” = the beloved’s presence or face

burns every part of themselves in thy name – The lover sacrifices or consumes themselves in devotion to the beloved, like a burning candle

tavern’s hall / lift the veil – The tavern symbolizes a place of love or meeting; “lifting the veil” refers to revealing oneself or making the beloved visible

visage – The beloved’s face or countenance

Copyright © Saeed Koushan | Year Posted 2025

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