GENTLEMAN OF PANACHE

How good is a timely word? Dare I give a free rein to my complaint and speak out from the bitterness of my soul? Pour out my heart like water? I loathe my very love life, sadly! Tears are upon my cheeks, Streams of tears flow from my eyes and disappear into the doors of my mouth as water disappears from the sea or as a river bed becomes parched and dry. Out of the depths I hurt, My wound deep as the sea. Tho'ts of treasures that were mine in days of old, When heavens to me were no more but paradise was she. She bound me into a yoke of affection, By her hands was my heart woven She walled me in so that I could not escape. Her speech smooth as butter, Her words more soothing than oil, The scent of her blissful perfume lit fire into my bones. How can one not fix eyes on such a one? The eye cost a man what is most dear, A painful lesson learnt at a costly price, If weighed on the scales of right, my misdoings would outweigh the sand of the seas, But how can

My heart is stirred by a noble theme, not in part but in whole, as my tho'ts are ensnared by my verses, My fingers, the pen of a skilful writer, I proclaim my heart in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, And share shall I my cup of lamentations! My soul is downcast within me, See how deserted lies this humble heart of mine, Once so full of youth, How like a widow she now be, Who once was jubilant! Joy is gone from my heart, My dancing has turned to mourning, Because of this, my beat is faint, And my light has long grown dim. The ear tests the words as the tongue tastes food, And listen keenly did I to every word she said; Am in disbelief, I may lack in many but wise I am in my own estimation. I am the man tho has suffered affliction by the rod of her wrath, Hers waves and breakers swept over me, Deep voices, too deep than the roar of waterfalls, 'sweeten' my night, Calm is no longer found, Bitterly I weep at night! I fear her affection will