Imadeddin Nasimi (1369? – 1418 CE) was born in Azerbaijan, and became a member of the Hurufi sect, which proclaimed that the individual and God are essentially one. He was arrested by religious authorities in Aleppo, Syria, and executed for blasphemy.

Dawn:
the tavern:
I learned the inside way
from a licensed guide.

Old Man Love:
“Come in, come in:
don’t loiter around
outside!”
Inside:
SPLENDOR
cups of pain.

The saki:
“Drink, drink!”
and he embraced me
light
so close…

SAKI/ME
both one
or one disguised
as two?
NOW WITNESS
NOW OBJECT-OF-SIGHT
NOW SAKI
NOW CUP…
Nothing remains:
I know nothing:
all HIM
Nasimi: canceled out
in the beauty
of the
seducer.

Translation Peter Lamborn Wilson and Nasrollah Pourjavady