Culture

A codger staggered drunk  out of the bar, a prayer rug over his shoulder and a wine glass in hand. I said, old man,  what’s come over you? He said, have some wine; the affairs of this world are just hot air. Translated by Juan Cole from [pdf] Whinfield 80

You ignoramus!   This bodily form is nothing. and this speckled dome  of the nine heavens is nothing. Be happy that in the realm of being and corruption we are dependent  on a single breath; and that, too, is nothing. Translated by Juan Cole from [pdf] Whinfield 78

Now that the rose of your  good fortune is blooming, why are you standing there with no glass in your hand? Have some wine– fate is a treacherous enemy, And a day like this  is hard to come by. Translated by Juan Cole from [pdf] Whinfield 71

The sky is a belt woven from our tattered lives. The mighty river was formed by all the tears  our eyes have shed. Hell is a spark from our  searing pain. Heaven is a breath drawn from our  moments of peace. Translated by Juan Cole from [pdf] Whinfield 92

They say that drunkards are consigned to hell; but that makes no sense and the heart cannot  accept it. If lovers and lushes are going to hell, tomorrow heaven will be as empty as my hand. Translated by Juan Cole from [pdf] Whinfield 67

I don’t drink wine for sheer enjoyment nor to corrupt my morals nor for irreligion or bad character. I want to tame my carnal soul and make it selfless. That’s why I drink and why I get drunk Translated by Juan Cole from [pdf] Whinfield 66

Even though my sins  have jinxed me and made me unlovely I have not lost hope, like a pagan in his temple. But in the wee hours when I sober up I want wine and a lover whether heaven or hell Translared by Juan Cole from [pdf] Whinfield 65

Your evil self is like  a household dog,  barking for no good reason. It is like a fox  dreaming of a rabbit. It roars like a tiger and is tricky as a wolf. Translated by Juan Cole from [pdf] Whinfield 61

Every heart in which  the light of love shines– whether worshipper in a mosque or member of a church– and those who write their names in the book of passion are liberated from hell and free of paradise. Translated by Juan Cole from [pdf] Whinfield 58