Poems & Poets

This poem is authored by Abu Hamīd Ibn-e Abu-Bakr Ebrāhīm (Persian: ابو حامد بن ابوبکر ابراهیم‎‎; b. ~1145; d. ~1221), also known as Farīd-od-dīn (فرید الدین) and ʿAttār (عطار, meaning apothecary, chemist or herbalist). 'Attar was a 12/13th-century Persian poetry and prose writer, hagiographer and Sufi mystic originally from Nishapur, Khorasan in Greater Iran. He had a momentous influence on the tassavof tradition in the Persianate world. His most distinguished work is the Manteq-ut-Teyr, The Conference of the Birds. He is also one of the major influences on Mawlana. He passed away in his hometown when facing the gruesome Mongol invasion of Khorasan.

This ghazal is a love-poem dedicated to God, Glorified and Exalted is He. 'Attar tells of the inexpressible 'Secret of Love' that has kept him occupied since it appeared in the middle of the night. This Secret of Love has allowed the spirit within the heart (the lost bird in the cage), to find its real home again (the nest from which it came from). He finishes the poem with a call to seize talking about the Secret of Love and instead seek the Knower of Secrets, Mighty and Majestic is He.

Reference: 'Attar – Divan-e-Ash'ar – Ghazal 630