The motif is square with marked entrances on facing sides.

Within, there is blue with flowers in yellow, red, green, and white

On the other sides. This area surrounds a red octagon, which

contains a white on black border of wavy lines and strict

Rectangles, which surrounds a white bow- tie imposed

On a long thin rectangle. In its very centre, enclosed,

is a small black circle with four segments yellow- red

yellow-red. On my runner carpet the motif is repeated

four times. It was likely made in the high grazing lands

of the Zagros mountains in Iran, by a young woman

using a horizontal loom, with wool from her sheep

and goats, for sale in the city of Shiraz, but she might keep

the same motif for the rugs in her family tent, the siah-

-chador, which can be easily transported by donkeys or

camel. It is a common enough image to be recognised as

A walled garden, also the Gods’ garden, or pairidaeza

In Old Persian, which is an image of the complete truth

Of life, the flowers standing for growth and beauty, blue

For water and sky, the octagon for universal balance

Within which black is the colour of earth and all that springs

From it, while white is the colour of heaven. The bow-tie

Motif is probably a star, and at its heart the circle ties

Together the yellow of sun and the red of fire, heaven

And hearth, a hint that the whole motif may also be a version

Of the black shelter, the family tent and its inhabitants,

Who hope to mirror paradise in their living. The rug is an implant,

skilled weaver, of your clear faith and custom thousands of miles

From your upland home into my study, house, society, and style

Of life, which are blest by them, not least that I can journey

With you on tracks amid the mountain flowers, in a sweet country

of new grass and harsh rains, to live by the freedom

And discipline of paradise, knowing how much I need them.