I bow before the image of my Love
28 September 2007
I bow before the image of my Love
No Muslim I
But an idolater
I bow before the image of my Love
And worship her
No Brahman I
My sacred thread
I cast away, for round my neck I wear
Her plaited hair instead
Princess Zebunnisa – (Divan-e-Makhfi)
From my published article
Note: the translation is not mine
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Not wanting to belittle poetry as beautiful as this, I must admit that reading it brought John Donne’s poem to mind. The poem celebrates the undying love between two lovers whom even death will not be able to separate; the strand of her hair around his wrist will be found with his bones, still tied. Perhaps it was this striking image that made me think of the poem.
Beautiful poetry!