In a Saffron Land of an Evening
In a Saffron Land of an Evening - meaning Summary
Praise of Unveiled Beauty
Yesenin evokes an idealized Persian evening—Shiraz, roses, and Khayyam—to argue for openness to beauty and love. The speaker rejects veiling as concealment of "pretty features," urging enjoyment of life’s limited pleasures. The poem alternates lyrical landscape images with a direct admonition to cherish beauty and intimacy, ending in wistful longing for a distant, more vivid country and a promise of song surpassing Khayyam's.
Read Complete AnalysesIn a saffron land of an evening The roses through fields softly run. A song by Khayyam, darling, sing me, Sing me his favourite one. Thd roses through fields softly run. Shiraz is in moonlight swimming. Like a moth swarm, bright stars throng the sky. That Persian men make their women Wear veils is a thing I dislike. Shiraz is in moonlight swimming. Do they find the heat not so searing, Concealing their body's bronze? Or, so they be loved more dearly, Do they wish the sun's rays to shun, Concealing their body's bronze? The veil, darling, do not befriend! A lesson to learn well and cherish, For life soon must come to an end. Little joy are we given to relish, A lesson to learn well and cherish. There's a virtue illuminates even All ugly things we observe And it is a sin for that reason To hide from the world pretty features Which kind mother nature conferred. The roses through fields softly run. I dream of a country that's far away. I'll sing you a finer song, darling, Than was by Khayyam ever sung... The roses through fields softly run.
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