“My poetic Side”, a popular English literary portal, has posted in English the ghazals “The world is no fit place to live. O soul, why linger there?” and “Your resplendent features are the source of light” by Imadaddin Nasimi, the outstanding poet of Azerbaijan, as part of the AzSTC project “Azerbaijan Literature in an International Virtual World”.

The author of the translation of the ghazals presented with information about the poet’s creativity is a well-known translator Peter Tempest.

It is worth noting that the literature portal “My poetic Side”, which has a wide auditorium of readers, regularly publishes works by such famous writers and poets as William Shakespeare, Alexander Pushkin, Jane Austen, Edgar Allan Poe, Pablo Neruda, etc. 

Imadaddin Nasimi

(1369-1417)

·         the Azerbaijani poet, philosopher;

·         the notable representative of the divan genre and hurufism in the East;

·         wrote his works in Azerbaijani in the genres of divan, qasida, mustazaad, tarji-band, tuyug and rubai;

·         had a strong influence on the development of Azerbaijani poetry, including the works of such great creative figures as Shah Ismail Khatai, Fuzuli and Vagif;

·         the year 2019 was declared in Azerbaijan as "Nasimi Year" on the occasion of the 650th anniversary of the poet;

·         by the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan on May 7, 2019, his works were declared state heritage.

The world is no fit place to live. O soul, why linger there?

Be not deluded by the world’s dishonest wiles, beware!

The days are never standing still and life goes swiftly by.

O perspicacious ones, of this condition be aware!

O pilgrim, not eternal are the blessings of the world.

Renounce the world, remember that its wealth is but a snare.

If you are loyal to your love, for your beloved’s sake

Go pawn your soul, renounce your life, for sacrifice prepare.

O God, my heart is lost amid the darkness of her hair.

Transform the night to day for one in such a deep despair!

Since beauty’s epoch is today apportioned to your face,

O you who are the last temptation, work a wonder rare!

If you, like Moses, Imran’s son, have met this fire divine,

Its splendour show me and explain the burning bush’s glare.

Since life is five days only in the dwelling of the world.

Courageously destroy the world’s foundations everywhere!

Nasimi, you have learned about the one with almond lips.

Tidings of one whose lips are sugar take to all the fair!

Your resplendent features are the source of light.

Your sweet words like springs of Paradise delight.

Sun and moon and Jupiter in heaven high

Draw their light from your fair face’s taper bright.

By your charming eyes Harut was with Marut

Hung in Babylon’s deep well. It served them right!

To your feet the heavens humbly bow their head.

Angels are your guardians all day and night.

Satan ran away, refused to honour you.

So he bears a yoke and cursed is his plight.

Essence of Creation is the precious pearl

And of this fair pearl you are the essence bright.

It’s the breath of Jesus brings the dead to life,

But your breath raised Khizr and Jesus to the light.

Your face is a looking-glass for the devout

And in it he takes continual delight.

In the sea of love Nasimi is a pearl.

He who shuns the sea is either fiend or sprite.

https://mypoeticside.com/show-poem-173902