Two Times Four

Two times two is four, (but) for your sake sixteen

You are a hiccup of saffron,

a serving/measure of gulkand

You are a sweet betel leaf,

I am plain catechu

On seeing You,

my heart said this

You are a King's darling

while I am an simpleton (innocent like Shiva)

You are soul enchanter,

mine is the ascetic robe

You are a swift spark,

I am a knapsack of charas (hashish)

You are sweet Rooh-Afza (sherbet),

I am a ball of (shaved) ice (slush)

A fragrant/intoxicating aroma has risen

causing a saffron-like inebriation

I’m a story of unrelenting pain

and only you are my (healing) Greek ointment

Two times four, for your sake, is a cashbox

you are (my) only God, (my) only neighborhood

Two times four, for your sake, is sixteen

On seeing You,

my heart said this

Alas …