The Divan of Shams / Oh, I am left behind by the voice of the plain on this path of mine

This is a ghazal, a lyric poem in Persian, attributed to Mawlawi (Rumi). The opening verse speaks of the poet's separation from the voice of the desert and his weariness with the path he travels. The ghazal is a form composed of rhyming couplets, each metrically independent, traditionally exploring themes of love, longing, and spiritual yearning. As a work in the ghazal tradition, it belongs to the rich heritage of Persian mystical and amorous poetry.