The Assembly of Libertines

By Imam Khomeini

The day shall come when I’ll be the dust on the

beloved’s ground;

And I expired I’ll still be dishevelled by the

beloved’s face.

I’ll receive the ecstatic cup from the beloved’s

soothing hand;

negligent of both worlds, I’ll remain trapped in by

the beloved’s hair.

I’ll incline my head on the beloved’s threshold,

kissing

Until rapt on the Day of Resurrection I’ll remain

intoxicated

the drinking out jar

All my life, like a moth with signed wings around the

candle flame repeatedly I’ll return to my doom

Like a drunk seeking oblivion I’ll be outshone by the

radiance of countenance

Time will come when in the assembly of my fellow

topers

Though intoxicated I’ll be made party to her inmost

secrets.

If Yusuf do not come to visit me beside my bedside,

I’ll be overwhelmed by the odor as was Yaqub.

Translated by Mevlut Ceylan

posted 29 June 2005