A Timeless Voice of the Soul
Across the tapestry of Persian literature, the classical poetry of Iran stands as a radiant thread; woven from the spirit of mysticism, philosophy, and love. Rooted in ancient traditions and flowering through the pens of visionary poets, it gave voice to both the longing of the human soul and the transcendent mysteries of the divine.
From the epic grandeur of Ferdowsi to the spiritual intoxication of Rumi, from the lyrical grace of Sa‘di and Hafez to the evocative mysticism of lesser-known yet profound voices like Iraqi and Khajoo Kermani, Persian classical poetry has endured as a beacon of cultural identity, artistic brilliance, and spiritual depth.
This collection from Iraqi and Khajoo Kermani, invites you into that world; where metaphor dances with meaning, and love is both the journey and the destination. Each poet, each poem, is a window into an inner universe where beauty and wisdom are inseparable companions.
Ibrahim Fakhr-od-Din Iraqi (13th century AD)
Mystic, traveller, poet of divine longing; Iraqi was one of the luminous voices of Persian Sufi poetry in the 13th century. Born in Hamedan and trained in the classical sciences, he left his homeland at eighteen and journeyed through the spiritual heartlands of the Islamic world.
In Multan, he became a disciple of Sheikh Baha-od-Din Zakariya, a towering Sufi figure of the time. Later, in Konya, he was drawn into the philosophical mysticism of Ibn al-‘Arabi through the teachings of Sheikh Sadr-od-Din. His profound work Lama‘at (Illuminations) reflects these influences, blending metaphysical insight with the fire of devotional love.
Iraqi’s ghazals ( lyrical odes of longing and spiritual ecstasy )are among the finest expressions of the Sufi soul. His masterpiece Ushshaq-Nameh (The Song of Lovers) cemented his place among the mystic poets who shaped Persian literature for centuries to come. Even Hafez would later draw inspiration from his verses.
Featured Poems:
Kamal-od-Din Khajoo Kermani (13th century AD)
A poet of both structure and soul, Khajoo Kermani was a master of form and feeling; standing at the intersection of Persian romantic tradition and Sufi wisdom. A contemporary of Hafez, he wove his verses with echoes of earlier luminaries: Sana’i, Attar, Rumi, and Sa‘di.
Alongside his evocative ghazals, Khajoo composed five epic narratives in verse, reminiscent of Nezami’s legendary Khamsa. Of these, Homay and Homayoon is the best known; an intricate tale of love, honour, and fate.
His poetry bridges the earthly and the eternal, offering both narrative beauty and spiritual resonance.
Featured Poems:
Grace of Love
A Poem by : Ibrahim Fakhr-od-Din Iraqi
0 Sweetheart,
of spirit your body is created,
With the black disbelief of your hair
faith is created.
Have you ever heard
about the beauty of Joseph of Egypt?
Your beauty
with twice more grace is created.
From the garden of your cheeks
one rose was picked;
With that rose
the eternal paradise was created.
A cloud of dust rose
in the road to your abode;
With that dust
the spring of eternal life was created.
The anguish of your love
shed the blood of men of heart and mind;
With that blood
ruby and coral were created.
May my body and my soul
be sacrificed for you,
Because your body
with pure soul is created.
I wonder how can I succeed
to be one moment with you,
For, to watch you,
a hundred demons are created.
How long should I drink
the wine of the anguish of your love?
Intoxicated and unconscious
I am created.
By the grace of your love
Iraqi has a wondrous breath
With which
the image of man was created.
Translated into English by Mahmud Kianush
My Beloved’s Face
A Poem by : Ibrahim Fakhr-od-Din Iraqi
Every moment my Beloved’s face
in a new look shows itself;
Under each twist of her curls
she has a thousand tricks!
With one coquettish glance
she traps a thousand hearts;
That is why in this world
lonely are the hearts of lovers.
If my heart is gone and lost,
tell it be gone and lost forever,
For, instead of heart, I have in my hands
the musky curls of my Beloved.
Since a Beauty from the Tavern
robbed my heart from me,
I have been all, nothing but a desire
for the Tavern, Wine and the Harp.
With the wine of love I am
so far away from soberness and reason
That no care is left in me
for the wonders of name and fame.
Bring, O cup-bearer,
a goblet of that wine for me
That with the reflection of Your face
it takes a new colour every moment!
Shed Iraqi’s blood in the dust
but renew our friendship,
For, now and always, friendship is
and will be better than separation.
Translated into English by Mahmud Kianush
The Gem and The Mine
A Poem by : Kamal-od-Din Khajoo Kermani
Of thee I tell thee secrets
in a wordless language;
From thee I ask the way to thee
on a traceless trace.
In vain thou concealest thyself
from the eyes, for thy sun-like face
Beams through heavenly veil
like the light of day.
What a delicate concept thou art,
far above reasoning!
What a divine Verse thou art,
needless of interpretation!
How can I close my eyes to thee?
Thou art the lamp inside the eye.
How can I part with thee?
Thou art the resident in the soul.
We are all rays and thou art the candle;
We are all substance and thou art the spirit;
We are all raindrops and thou art the ocean;
We are all gems and thou art the mine.
I have never seen a face like thine,
so graceful point by point;
I have never seen a scripture like thee,
so meaningful verse by verse.
So mercilessly injuring Khajoo’s heart
with the arrow of thy coquettish glances
Is far from the way of friendship
and against the rules of affection.
Translated into English by Mahmud Kianush
Hunting the Hunter
A Poem by : Kamal-od-Din Khajoo Kermani
Reason is a bird
from our nest;
Galaxies are some dust
risen from our doorstep.
The world-illuminating sun,
the sovereign of the East,
Is an ornamental image
on the ceiling of our hall of mirrors.
The blood you see
in the eye of the horizon at sunset
Is the sips
of our nocturnal wine.
What we hunt
is no one but the hunter;
Our trap is the same
as our bait.
Our arrow pierces
through the armour of the firmament,
For our target is
the heart of the universe.
No charm can lure us
away from the path
Since the two worlds
are full of our fascinating tale.
Though with the people of the time
we are not happy,
Happy are those
who live in our time.
If there exists a paradise,
it lies in the dust of his doorstep,
Where we have
our eternal abode.
Khajoo,
now our songs are sung
All over the world
with the music of our fame.
Translated into English by Mahmud Kianush
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