Metaphorical Analysis

In Chapter 37, Poem 15 of Mokhtar Nameh, Attar of Nishapur explores the classical Persian poetic conceit of the pistachio (representing the beloved's small, sweet mouth) and the newly sprouted facial down (sabzeh-ye khatt):

• The Closed Pistachio: The beloved's mouth is likened to a tightly closed pistachio (bar basteh).
• The Sprouted Down: The green facial down growing around the mouth is compared to the green hull or the kernel leaping out (bar rasteh).
• Linguistic Paradox: The poem centers on the paradox and wordplay between bar rasteh (sprouted or open) and bar basteh (closed). It is a marvel to the poet that the beloved's mouth remains a tightly closed pistachio despite the green down having prominently sprouted around it, defying the natural opening of a ripening pistachio.