The weight of sixty-five years lay upon the great poet's shoulders when the cruelest blow of fate struck his household. The natural order of the cosmos was tragically severed: while it was time for the aged father to cross the quiet threshold of mortal life, it was his young son who departed instead. At thirty-seven years of age, before attaining the fruits of his desires, the youth suddenly turned his back upon the world, leaving his grieving father bereft of solace, like a lifeless body with eyes weeping tears of blood.
In his deep despair, the aging sage envisions a bittersweet reunion beyond the veil, longing to gently reproach his child: 'It was my turn to leave, my son; why did you hurry and take away my peace? You were my guiding hand through life's misfortunes—why did you abandon your old companion to journey ahead alone?' Yet, amid the agony of loss, a profound spiritual comfort shines through; the poet knows his son has reached the realm of celestial light, preparing a place for his father who lingers in this fleeting world.
Transcending his earthly grief, the master singer turns his heart toward the Creator of the Universe, the Provider of all things seen and unseen. He prays with complete devotion that divine wisdom may armor his son's soul, that the Almighty may forgive all sins, and that radiant heavenly illumination may transform the dark grave into an abode of eternal bliss.
#1
مرا سال بگذشت برشست و پنج
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نه نیکو بود گر بیازم به گنج
“My years have now surpassed sixty and five; it is no longer fitting to strain after earthly treasure.”
#2
مگر بهره بر گیرم از پند خویش
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بر اندیشم از مرگ فرزند خویش
“Perhaps I ought to take counsel from my own wisdom, and deeply reflect upon the death of my son.”
#3
مرا بود نوبت برفت آن جوان
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ز دردش منم چون تن بیروان
“It was my turn to depart, yet that youth went instead; from his grief I have become like a body bereft of soul.”
#4
شتابم همی تا مگر یابمش
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چویابم به بیغاره بشتابمش
“I hasten onward so that perchance I may find him; and when I find him, I shall reproach him in haste,”
#5
که نوبت مرا بود بیکام من
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چرا رفتی و بردی آرام من
“Saying: 'It was my turn, against my heart's longing! Why did you go and strip away all my peace?”
#6
ز بدها تو بودی مرا دستگیر
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چرا چاره جستی ز همراه پیر
“You were my guiding hand against life’s evils; why did you seek a way to part from your aged companion?”
#7
مگر همرهان جوان یافتی
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که از پیش من تیز بشتافتی
“Did you perchance find younger companions, that you rushed away ahead of me so swiftly?'”
#8
جوان را چو شد سال برسی و هفت
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نه بر آرزو یافت گیتی برفت
“When the young man reached the age of thirty-seven, he departed the world without fulfilling his heart's desires.”
#9
همیبود همواره با من درشت
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برآشفت و یکباره بنمود پشت
“He was ever harsh with me in his struggle; then suddenly he grew angry and turned his back upon me completely.”
#10
برفت و غم و رنجش ایدر بماند
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دل و دیدهٔ من به خون درنشاند
“He departed, leaving his grief and anguish behind; he drowned my heart and eyes in tears of blood.”
#11
کنون او سوی روشنایی رسید
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پدر را همی جای خواهد گزید
“Now he has arrived at the realm of light; surely he is choosing a place for his father to join him.”
#12
برآمد چنین روزگار دراز
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کزان همرهان کس نگشتند باز
“Such a long span of time has passed, yet none of those who travelled onward have ever returned.”
#13
همانا مرا چشم دارد همی
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ز دیر آمدن خشم دارد همی
“Surely he is watching and waiting for me, feeling anger at my tardy arrival.”
#14
ورا سال سی بد مرا شصت و هفت
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نپرسید زین پیر و تنها برفت
“He was thirty-seven years of age and I sixty-seven; he did not consult this old man and left all alone.”
#15
وی اندر شتاب و من اندر درنگ
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ز کردارها تا چه آید به چنگ
“He was in swift haste while I linger behind; who knows what shall come to hand from our earthly deeds?”
#16
روان تو دارنده روشن کناد
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خرد پیش جان تو جوشن کناد
“May the Creator illuminate your soul! May wisdom serve as armor protecting your spirit!”
#17
همیخواهم از کردگار جهان
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ز روزی ده آشکار و نهان
“I beseech the Sovereign Creator of the world, the Provider of all things secret and revealed,”
#18
که یکسر ببخشد گناه مرا
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درخشان کند تیره گاه مرا
“That He may utterly forgive all my sins, and cause my dark resting place to shine with glory.”