The current bears me off

The current bears me off, o my dearest!

The current bears me off!

Hold your hand out, rescue me.

Desolation is everywhere!

No loving voice, refreshing breeze, no water to my thirsting.

Parched for your love, your murmurs, I’m dying of quietness.

The sky weighs upon me, the water slips through my fingers,

I’m sinking.

I drown in the darkness,

The water above, forces me down,

The earth below casts me away.

I’m dying, o my dearest, I’m dying!

Amir Hamzah
tr. after Damais