Masnavi Poems | Masnavi Examples

Part Thirty — The Story's End Sweet Giti, gem in heaven's ring, Stayed true in love through everything. Her heart she gave to her dear flame, Soul's companion, love's sweet name. And Saeed—behold his blessed state! Though challenged by his cruel fate, Hear how his trials came to bear His faithful heart, worn down by care. Despite the wounds and aching soul, From strangers' scorn...

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Part Twenty-Seven — Giti Speaks with Her Father and His Reply Sweet Giti, like an idol fair, A thousand hearts caught in her hair. As soft and gentle as the breeze, Her charm could bring strong men to knees. She locked her heart and gave love's key, Sugar-sweet smiles for all to see. She turned and gently told her sire: "O father dear,...

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Part Twenty-Four — The Fifth Cupbearer's Song O Saqi, one glance—show mercy here, And heal this wound with wine so clear. Fill up the cup for we are dry, Drunk with desire that makes us sigh. That cup like chalice of the kings, Whose breath brought joy to all good things. A draught that when it's poured for any, Banishes sorrow, heals so...

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Part Twenty-One — Saeed's Supplication to God One day with flute and mournful song, Saeed began a prayer so long. His patience broke, he lost his hold, His heart grew weary, tired, and cold. Disheartened by both friend and kin, Sorrow consumed his soul within. He turned toward the starlit sky And raised to heaven his mournful cry: "O Lord, Creator of all worlds, O...

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Part Eighteen — The Counsel of Saeed's Relatives They came to Saeed, kith and kin, Their faces pale, their hearts within Full of concern. They gently said, "What sorrow fills your weary head? You've cast your soul before her feet, Forsaken all for love so sweet. You've lost yourself within her spell, A wanderer in love's deep well. You've severed ties with all the...

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Part Fifteen — The Third Cupbearer's Song O Saqi, pour the midnight wine That bears the ancient royal sign. Arise and swiftly bring, I pray, That sacred draught to light our way. The wine that ruby lips inspire And shakes the mountain's heart of fire. A cup whose color glows like flame, Beyond all count, beyond all name. Bring forth that pure, untainted bliss And...

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Part Twelve — Saeed Meets Giti He reached her street, his senses fled, As if his earthly time had sped. The wind arose with scents so rare, Her fragrance floating on the air. He knew by grace of heaven above That near him dwelt his truest love. Swift as the breeze, to her he came, With trembling heart and soul aflame. Before her face...

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Part Nine — Saeed's Love Revealed to All Young Saeed rose in joyful flight, A bird set free in morning light. Through streets and lanes he wildly spun, His careful mask now came undone. He sang of Giti's promised grace, Of all he'd seen in her sweet face. But such delight, so loudly told, Released the secret love he'd hold. The very rooftops heard...

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Part Six — The Story Begins The tale begins, as poets say, Of lovers two who found their way. That radiant child, so young and fair, A cypress tall with flowing hair. The envy of all idols bright, With beauty born to charm the sight. Wherever she would softly tread, A thousand hearts behind her fled. That idol—when her veil was drawn, The pride of...

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Part Three — Zuhrah's Song (1) O knower of love and mystic's wine, Sweet mistress of the dance divine! With harp and lute she weaves her tune, Her music soars beyond the moon. A queen whose steed none can outrace, While kings of every land give chase. From dawn until the setting sun, She sang of her beloved one. "Sweet Giti," thus she named...

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Introduction "The Masnavi of Giti and Saeed" is a modern reimagining of a classic Persian love epic, woven from the threads of ancient myth, Sufi mysticism, and the eternal yearning of two souls. It tells the tale of Giti and Saeed—lovers bound by fate and challenged by the trials of longing and destiny. In this retelling,...

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Nowruz¹ The mirror breathes beneath my palm— twelve days I've polished chrome. Sabzeh² sprouts in jam-jar earth, each blade a promise worth the waiting. Mother counts rice grains while saffron stains her fingertips. The goldfish circles, bored by glass, as hours pass like water drops. What grows in us that won't be named? This hunger, neither blessed nor shamed— I watch my hand shake as I...

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The way you fold your coffee cup between both palms on winter mornings— I memorize this quiet ritual as if it were scripture. Your thumb traces circles on the ceramic rim, steam curling like your hair after rain. In that suspended moment before speech, I taste the salt of almost-losing you. Last Tuesday, when you laughed at my terrible joke about quantum physics, your shoulders...

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## 1. A morning cloaked in guile arrives, It breathes upon my land, no light, This realm now bound in frost's cold curse, Where hearts are held in icy night. ## 2. The spirits of the blameless weep, Their muted cries pierce through the air, For sins they never chose to bear— Their names erased beyond repair. ## 3. With honeyed kiss and lullaby, The traitor dawn...

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Far from the homeland, when lips part to speak, This Persian candy works wonders, magic unique. The spell of Rumi’s verse, of Hafez’ deep art, In distant lands, it uplifts every heart. A potion of love rides this caravan’s crest— Saadi himself boasts of its charm manifest. Open your eyes, and at this threshold stay— The Masnavi begins to tell your tale...

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