The Ravishing of Lovers

By Imam Khomeini

A soul that is not dishevelled by your face is not a

soul;

A man who fails to be enraged by your beauty-spot does

not count wise man.

The ravishment of the intoxicated lovers comes from

your wine,

Apart from this ravishment here my life incurs no

other benefit.

The love of your face cast me forth into this desert,

A trackless waste which has no shores.

If you are a real lover sacrifice yourself

Because there is no obstacle between us

If you are the wayfarer of love, throw away your robe

and prayer-rug,

Naught but love can get you to this goal.

If you are a man of heart, forsake both the mystic and

ascetic;

There is no place in this assembly but for this clan.

I shall grasp the beloved’s lock of hair with a firm

handhold,

Which is all I shall have to show for my imprudence.

Take my hand and free me from this hypocritical robe,

For in it there is no place except for the ignorant.

People who wander the paths of error can never

Translated by Mevlut Ceylan

posted 29 June 2005