Trapped in Love’s Embrace

Vesal Shirazi, a 19th-century Persian poet, was known for his heartfelt and elegant poetry, often exploring themes of love, longing, and the inescapable nature of devotion. In this ghazal, he expresses the helplessness of a lover who, despite every effort, cannot free himself from the grip of love. The imagery of fate, unfulfilled longing, and the inability to escape the beloved’s influence beautifully conveys the depth of his emotions. The poem is a powerful reflection on love’s unbreakable hold over the heart.

🌿 I swore to turn my heart away from you—but I failed,

I sought to escape your snare—but love prevailed.

💫 Though I surrendered my life in your absence,

My heart did not learn patience—it simply ailed.

✨ Like a shadow, I remained at your feet so low,

I wished to rise, but fate did not allow me to go.

🌙 O beloved, grant me mercy, cast upon me a glance,

For even my ailing heart could not escape love’s trance.