1. I squeezed my heart into a cup of passion
And held it to the window of the destitute

2. They said, "Wine that does not cool the fervor!"
So I muttered, alas for the hearts of poets

3. Does even poverty deny the riches within you?
What food are you for the miserable?

4. And I melted my heart in a cup of passion
And held it to the window of the eminent

5. And said to them, "This is justice, so drink!"
Perhaps you would heed the weak

6. But all turned from my cup, murmuring,
"Your cup is forbidden to rulers!"

7. And I melted my heart in a cup of passion
And held it to the window of prisoners

8. And said to them, "This will comfort your hearts,
My blood for the innocent oppressed!"

9. But they said, "Blood that does not free our chains!
Bring us laws, not divine decree!"

10. And I melted my heart in a cup of passion
And held it to the window of the wise

11. And said to them, "This is light, so drink!
For your minds need illumination!"

12. But they shook their heads in scorn, saying,
"Your light is but fool's deception!"

13. And I melted my heart in a cup of passion
And held it to the window of princes

14. And said, "This is nobility, so drink
And pass my cup among the noble!"

15. But they said, "You belittle our ancestors' pride!
Noble loins do not beget base seed!"

16. And I melted my heart in a cup of passion
And held it to the window of poets

17. And said, "This is love, so drink!
For your dress is hostage to transience

18. Unless love kindles flames in your hearts,
You are wretched, though clothed in finery!"

19. And so I wandered the world with my wine
While all around me derided my fidelity,

20. Until despair daubed me and I chose seclusion
To sift through the debris of my hopes.

21. And I melted my heart in a cup of passion
To drink it mixed with my tears.

22. But then I saw my heart laughing in my cup,
Serene, virginal in pride.

23. So I held it to my window and drank it
And still my cup brims with love's water.