The Fire of Waiting

Sharaf al-Din Rami, a lesser-known yet talented 14th-century Persian poet, masterfully captures the anguish of love and longing in his poetry. His verses often reflect the helplessness of a heart consumed by passion and the torment of waiting for an absent beloved. In this ghazal, he portrays a lover lost in the depths of desire, burning like a candle in the darkness of night. The imagery of longing, sorrow, and surrender beautifully conveys the essence of a love that remains unfulfilled yet unwavering.

🌿 Your intoxicating gaze has stolen my will,

See how, helpless, I suffer still.

💫 Like a candle, I burn through the silent night,

Look into my eyes—see the embers of my plight.

✨ All who see me know of my despair,

Yet does no one tell you how I fare?

🌙 If you return, I will fall at your feet in bloom,

If not, let time bury me in its gloom.