The Alchemist's Lament
I spake: "Thy love's grief dwelleth in my core,
A breast brim-full with sorrows, evermore.
So long as in my head thy tumult lies,
Vain phantasies I bear, by nights, by sighs.
An hundred years have flown, yet not thy grace;
Save grief of parting, naught is my embrace.
In vigil lone, my heart with blood was stained,
By rival's tyranny, in mire constrained.
My Ka'bah is the arch of thine own brow,
Beneath love's caravan, my back must bow.
Each glance of thine, an ocean vast displayed,
Yet shore I reach not, till thy mercy stayed.
O heart! what alchemy of love divine
Turned gold to copper-red and filled my soul?"
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Explanatory Footnotes:
tumult – inner storm or turmoil of passion
vain phantasies – empty, hopeless dreams
grace – union, closeness, or favor of the beloved
in vigil lone – solitary devotion or retreat for prayer/meditation
in mire constrained – trapped in mud, symbol of helplessness
Ka'bah – the holy sanctuary in Mecca, the sacred center of devotion; metaphor for ultimate love
caravan – traveling convoy; here, "love's caravan" = the heavy burden of love
alchemy of love divine – the mystical power of love that transforms the soul
gold to copper-red – the paradox of love's transformation: precious becomes base, yet the soul shines brighter
Copyright © Saeed Koushan | Year Posted 2025
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