Bonsai of Thoughts (Translated)

Bonsai of Thoughts: One Hundred Forty-Three

1. With you beside me,
why would I need
wine to drown in rapture!?

2. I went to her
to be slain,
and she sent me back
crippled!

3. Because I couldn't have you
I've lost my taste
for countless sins!

4. When you were here,
storms of waves surged in my blood...
I never cared.
Today you are gone;
today even gentle waves
overwhelm me!

5. Even in the desert my thirst is quenched,
if you are there.
Even in rushing rivers I drown in thirst,
in your absence.

6. In love both die—
the one who mounts the pyre,
the one who lights it.

7. The new bride...
walks veiled—
shame? Or marks of joy?

8. When it stopped,
she never realized—
the poor thing's voice so eager still...
I beg you, don't stop!

9. One's own dharma
is never lost
in serving others.

10. Those I have loved
none of them died...
they only left the world!

11. It is time for prayer,
yet you are not here!
How can I pray
without you, tell me?

12. Even in this blazing noon
you melt across
my entire body
as moonlight...

13. Beside your corpse
so many perfumes and incense!
Yet nowhere the slightest fragrance!
Alas, where now are those drops of your sweat
that held the scattered scent of roses!

14. It's just begun!
Already you're weeping so!
This same you who once
so desperately wanted...to fall in love!

15. Let age grow a little more.
Then speak such excess!

16. You want the body, fine!
Why then say 'I love you'?
Just ask for the body...I have hunger too!
You want flesh, so why torment the heart?

17. You left,
yet I still live!
The glass is empty...
yet everyone sees it...full of water!

18. Letting you go
I wept, and understood...
every teardrop of remorse
is God's judgment!

19. When this heart was full,
my house was empty!
Today with an empty heart, that same me
must manage a houseful of guests!

20. Today reaching to touch God's feet
I suddenly remembered—
these same hands had touched
your henna-red fingers!

21. If you must, wound me,
let blood flow from this body...
but don't stay silent!
Your silence is my death.

22. If today you'll say nothing at all,
then why did you look at me that way that day?

23. If darkness is my destiny,
then why wasn't I made
the mole on your left chin?

24. Lord, what kind of life is this
when half of it passed in death!

25. Who anywhere has received greater punishment
than one imprisoned without chains?
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