How could anyone dare to touch your hem, when you are already right there, ready to seize them by the collar?
Here, the poet plays delightfully with two contrasting idioms of touch. Holding someone's hem (daman) is an act of gentle pleading, love, or seeking refuge, but the beloved is in such a confrontational mood that they are instantly ready to grab the lover by the collar (dast-o-gireban). The lover is caught in helpless despair—how can one ever offer a gentle, submissive plea when the other person is always poised for a fierce brawl?
Interpretation note: meanings and explanations may be AI-assisted and should not replace a primary text or scholarly edition. See the editorial policy.
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