Intent On Madness
Intent on Madness
Intent on madness deserts I tread
Reveal my scars to tulips red
Her beauty's rays ov'rwhelm my mind
'Tis not for naught disgrace I find
Surrendered all to beauty's power
With all my heart I signed this offer
Drunk as I am with fancy's face
I am by choice in wine's embrace
Taken to head, her thoughts are mine
Open the bottle, worship the wine
The heart, a bird, restless, insane
I tied its wings with jasmine mane
Perchance a glance is thrown my way
By Tavern door I'll wait and pray
I found those lips looking like wine
That's why I turned to goblet fine
Cupfuls of flowers, mem'ries of her face
I've seen in the cup a garden of grace
To drink I must, rapture's my way
I've chosen the sea, be it what may!
Abul Qasem Ghazanfar
18 June 1980
Translated from the Persian by the author
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