Mariam

by
Fereydun Tavallali

Translated by
Iraj Bashiri
Copyright 2001

Around midnight, when,
Sallow and broken,
The moon emerges from the east;
Amid the darkness stands Mariam,
Serene and white,
Pensive and tryst.

She awaits,
The coquettish moon,
To rise above the crest;
She awaits the moon beams
To undress her
To bathe her breast.

While the meadow rests, the zephyr
The colorful flowers, bastes;
As the night slumbers,
Watchful Mariam's eye,
Every sweet fragrance tastes.

The moon,
From behind the willows,
Ever so slowly peeks;
Eyeing here and yon,
Serene Mariam,
It stealthily seeks.

Towards the far-off trees,
The darkness of night,
Takes to flight;
Heart-broken,
And steeped in dew,
Slumbers the drunken night.

Over the meadow,
The moon glides effortlessly
Silence reigns;
From the branches issue,
As Mariam bathes,
Melodious strains.