Ghazal 85

We did not taste a sip from those ruby lips — and she left.

We did not gaze our fill at that moonlike form — and she left.

As if she had grown weary of our company —

she packed her things, and before we could reach her — she left.

Though many a Fatiha and protective prayer we recited,

and breathed the Surah of Sincerity after her — she left.

She gave us false hope that she would pass our way —

you saw in the end how we bought that promise — and she left.

She walked swaying through the garden of beauty and grace — yet

we did not stroll in the rosegarden of her union — and she left.

Like Hafez, all night we lamented and wailed —

alas, we did not reach her to say farewell — and she left.