Layla. Poem by Majid Zubedi

Layla, was the name of a girl;
Who was a Gypsy-girl...

Layla lived in the desert;
Layla never did any flirt.
Layla just passed seventeen springs;
Layla used to dance and sing.

Layla was the name of a girl;
Who was a dancing-girl...

Layla jumped all over the dunes;
When revealed and shined the moon.
Tambourines played by her friends;
Layla danced barefoot on the sand.

Layla was the name of a girl;
Who was a pretty-girl...

When dancing and playing one day;
Thus Layla went faraway.
Saw a boy, who was playing a flute;
Sweet melody was spreading in solitude.
Layla didn't see the stranger;
His moaning melody lured her.
Layla forgot everything;
Layla fell-in-love with him.
Layla impressed with her charms;
He opened and stretched his arms.

Layla was the name of a girl;
Who was a lucky-girl...

Without missing any day;
Layla lured to his way.
He used to play when Layla danced;
All they knew about their romance.

Layla was the name of a girl;
Who was a loving-girl...

So that her parents also knew;
Their loving days turned to be few.
Sorrow of daughter made them glum;
But they were compelled by the custom.
It's forbidden to a Gypsy;
To make relations with strange family.
Was it really her fault;
So many times Layla thought.
Why Layla born among Gypsies;
Who dislike other families.
When Layla yelled even to her father;
So unwillingly they imprisoned her.

Layla was the name of a girl;
Who was a pity-girl...

This thought turned her father dim;
Her affair would humiliate him.
When Layla refused to obey;
The Gypsy-council decided to stray.
And finally came that day;
Their caravan migrated far away.
But he called her every day;
And didn't know about her delay.
The migration by that caravan;
Was lethal-sorrow from the Heaven.
In silent-nights he strayed;
And dirt covered his head.
Her parting turned him mad;
One day he was found dead.
Partially buried in the sand;
And flute was still in his hand.

Layla was the name of a girl;
Who was a solitary-girl...

They all forced to marry her;
It was decision of her father.
But Layla already married to someone;
So Layla drank snake's poison.
When her marriage-day came;
Thus wise her soul flew by then.
And met her real groom;
Still they're dancing all over dunes.

Layla was the name of a girl;
Who'll live rest of the world...