Pars Today

Pars Today- The late Founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini (God's mercy upon him) has composed a divan of poems which caused great poets to admire him.

Imam Khomeini's divan is a book in 6 chapters each of which contains a special kind of poem. It has been published by the Institute of Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini's Works in 438 pages for the first time.

The first poem published from the Imam was his famous lyric in 14 lines. It starts with the line, "By your mole I was trapped, o friend!" Imam Khomeini's poetry reflects his emotions, sentiments and thoughts, and belongs to his moments of communion with God. In the mirror of his poetry one can feel true purity of true mystics, cordial solace of the faithful, and hope in a future devoid of any oppression and injustice.

Literary speaking, the rate of vocabulary which suggest sprightliness and hope is very high in his poetry.

Although some of his poems were lost during the assault to his house by SAVAC (secret police of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi which had been trained by Israel and the US), after the victory of the Islamic Revolution and with the insistence of the Imam's daughter-in-law, he composed poems in a variety of formats and with mystic themes all of which are fortunately available in hand-written copies. The poems of this divan have been translated and published in other languages, too.

Many of the contemporary poets have analyzed and praised this divan. It has been introduced on some of the national TVs in Europe, too.

An example of Imam Khomeini's mystic poems:

By your mole o friend, I was caught!

Seeing your sick eyes sickened my soul and thought.

The sweetheart's grief burnt my inward,

To make me famous everywhere and overwrought.

Open the tavern's door day and night,

As in the mosque and school I found naught.

An example of Imam Khomeini's ethical and didactic poems:

One should get free of his very being.

One should part with his demonic being.

He who is busy with the inner devil,

Never, in apostles' way will he be moving.

An example of Imam Khomeini's political and protesting poems:

Our Islamic Republic is eternal.

The enemy has no hope in life at all.

When of oppressors the world gets free,

For us it's the Feast and for the oppressed to see.

Imam Khomeini's love poems for his wife

Imam Khomeini's wife, late Khadijeh Saqafi, said on his poems composed for her, "The Imam would say, 'Once that I had gone to Urumiyeh, I felt ready to compose poems and composed some for you.' I know the first and last lines that read:

I boast of your stature which is more charming than cypress.

Your eyelashes are sharper and bloodier than dagger.

You trained a dear one who, in the market of beauty,

Has an eyebrow dearer than Joseph's

Imam Khomeini's wife continues, "Imam Khomeini has composed three or four poems for me the beginning of each line is with my name and the sum is "Qods Iran".

An example of Imam Khomeini's lines for Imam Mahdi (May God hasten his reappearance)

Imam Khomeini has composed some poems for the Awaited Savior of mankind, Imam Mahdi (May God expedite his reappearance).

O turning point of secret of existence!

Take a goblet from the friend, thence.

The due time is near, good news o friends!

The day comes to see him, no separation, hence.

Mahdi, the Awaited Imam, Son of Adam,

World people get sustenance from his grace.

Imam Khomeini composed a lot of philosophical and religious poems. He has also poems on the lofty status of Lady Fatemah (PBUH), daughter of Prophet Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny).

No doubt, spiritual vividness, optimism and hope in life have their roots in the Imam's deep belief in God and his lofty mystic perception. His poetry is also moving, motivating, impressive, epic and creates exuberance particularly among the young generation.

RM/MG