This piece is inspired by a poem by Mevlana (Rumi). The poem gives an
origin story for the ney (the Middle Eastern reed flute): it was born when a
man severed it from the reed bed, separating it from its fellow reeds.
Thereafter, the ney’s song will fill others with a sadness and longing that
is born from its own sorrow of separation and desire for reunion. Here is
an excerpt from the poem:
Beshno az ney chon hekaayat mikonad
Listen to the ney as it tells a tale
Az jodaayee ha shekaayat mi-konad
Complaining of separation:
Kaz neyestaan ta maraa bebrideh and
Ever since I was separated from the reed bed
Dar nafiram mardo zan naalideh and
My lament has caused man and woman to moan
Har kasi ku door maand az asleh khish
Whoever remains far from where they belong
Baz jooyad roozegareh vasleh khish
Should seek the day of reunion again
(Translation by Laila Gharzai
https://archive.blogs.harvard.edu/lailafortheloveofgodandhisprophet/2016/05/01/55/)