A more poetic and interpretive translation

This vase, once held by a lover's hand,
Now sits alone, upon this barren land.

Its handle curved, a lover's arm it seems,
A silent witness to forgotten dreams.

A contemporary and informal translation

This old jug, it's seen some lonely days,
Once held close, in love's sweet haze.

That handle there, a lover's embrace,
A memory etched on its worn face.

"این کوزه چو من عاشق زاری بوده‌ست": This line compares the jug to a sorrowful lover, suggesting that both have experienced heartbreak and loss.

"در بند سر زلف نگاری بوده‌ست": This line implies that the jug was once used to hold wine or other liquids, which were often associated with love and pleasure.

"این دسته که بر گردن او می‌بینی": The handle of the jug is seen as a metaphor for a lover's arm around another's neck.

"دستی‌ست که بر گردن یاری بوده‌ست": This line reinforces the idea that the jug has a history of love and intimacy.

Themes and Interpretations

Love and loss: The poem explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time.
The transience of beauty: The image of the jug, once beautiful and full, now empty and worn, suggests the impermanence of beauty and youth.
The power of memory: The jug serves as a reminder of past relationships and experiences.

This rubai is a beautiful and evocative meditation on the human condition. It invites us to consider our own experiences of love, loss, and longing.