Mastoureh Ardalani's diwan, 19th-century

1.

My dear Khosrow,

Spring is here, how I wish it would not have come this year.

How I wish no flowers were grown in the garden,

No trees coming into blossom,

No nightingale in the meadow,

No dew on flowers.

I wish water lilies did not come up until Doomsday,

And no rosewater be produced.

How I wish violets, wallflowers, and hyacinths would never grow again;

How I wish tulips, lilies, yellow flowers, and basil would not grow
to remind me of my pain.

How I wish the troop of flowers were destroyed,

And poppies would grow yellow with aching heart.

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