Lady ( بانو )

 

Along the stretch
of which dream’s towering ode
did I recite your lyric
that with every dawn
the vacant lines of thought
overflow with your memory
and the nameless throng
of relentless seekers
knocks upon the door
yearning to trace
the hidden verse of your presence

Oh, embodiment of freedom’s words
Lady
reveal the secret of your song

Through the heavy strings of which instrument
did your melody escape captivity
to cascade
with the rain’s gentle whispers
on the leaves of the forest
making the night retreat
?into the embrace of swaying branches

Oh, symphony of daylight
Lady
speak of your unbidden melody

On the bedside
of which restless poppy
did the embrace of the plain
soothe the thirsty sky
spreading the velvet hues of dawn
?over the bashful face of the sea
And at last
the hidden word
loosened from doubt’s taut bow
raced across
the pure white of paper

Oh, enigmatic gazelle
Lady
tell me of your whispered love song

Arsalan – Wiesbaden
20th Feb. 2022