Qazal

When I look in the glass my shade stares back in Persian
I breathe—walk—sleep but my heart beats in Persian

Persepolis to you is Takht-e Jamshid to me
Alexander is still Eskandar in Persian

They say beauty lies in the beholder’s eyes
The beloved’s ruby lips are sweetest in Persian

The lover is tossed by thoughts of tactile pleas
The beloved’s tulip cheeks are softest in Persian

The nightingale’s song rings throughout the garden
The lover’s plaintive sighs are loudest in Persian

The soul laments its distance from its maker
The melancholy reed sings saddest in Persian

Sassan they asked what language do you dream in
I dream in color I said but I love in Persian