ghazal

                                               






                                                Who cares about the stranger at the gate? I do not know
                                                The poor orphan, abandoned to his fate? I do not know

                                               Where once I had the answers, now my mind is full of doubt
                                              How do these certainties depreciate? I do not know

                                            From noon till night our ardent looks would scandalise the town
                                          Why is it that your eyes are filled with hate? I do not know

                                       It used to be that man respected man for what he did
                                      These days are we just numbers on the slate? I do not know
 
                                   The wisdom of the years is something valued now by none
                                  The butt of standing jokes, this balding pate? I do not know

                                 The saqi  turns his back; how many skins will be required,
                               oh my love, this unholy thirst to sate? I do not know

                            Once upon a time Amir was counted a believer
                           To every question now I simply state, I do not know

                                                                          (anonymous)





   - a saqi is a persian wine steward