Jalāl al-Dīn Rūmī "someone hidden" & "My Moon"

 

 

 Here someone is hidden
who has taken hold of me and does not let me go.

Here someone is hidden
softer than the soul who led me to the garden of spirit
and made me homeless.

Here someone is hidden
a radiant face as delicate and fleeting
as the ephemeral moment before sleep.

Here someone is hidden
like sweetness in sugar cane,
an invisible magician who has captured my soul.

Hidden somewhere inside, my beloved and
I have dissolved in each other.

No beauty in the world can ever tempt me
for I see only the face of my Beloved.
Tired and in pain I searched the world for help
until I found in love the cure for my pain.

Here someone hidden whispered:
"Pass beyond your tears and
you will see the broken hearted lovers
are the lords in heaven."

Here someone hidden appeared
holding love's wine
and to him I've given all my vows. 

 

I will give up anything to win your love
but if you say no,
I will accept and walk away filled with
the sweetness of your denial.
I have come secretly to seize your flame for my soul
I have come to steal from the King's treasure
but if I do not succeed,
I will accept and walk away knowing
where the gold is hidden.
Play your tricks, pinch my hat if you like
but I will walk away with your golden belt!

Tempted for so long to have a vision of you8
I myself have turned into a vision.
You have seized the fortress of my heart,
your love arrows can split even a mountain,
How can my poor heart ever escape them?
I don't even dare to mention your name
and call you "My Moon"
jealous that others may discover you.
This poem is for the time when you held
the cup before me saying,
"Drink, drink now because if you don't,
I will pass the wine to someone else."  

 

Fakhruddin Iraqi - The tavern's Secrets

 

 

 In the street of wineshops, when
     should I pray? since my
drunkenness and sobriety alike
     are all the same as prayer.
There, no one accepts the coin
     of righteousness, piety and self-denial:
The only good currency in that street
     is beggary.
None but the drunkard knows
     the tavern's secrets --
how could the sober unveil
     the mysteries of that street?
As soon as I met those
     cunning haunters of the wineshop
I realized that other work than theirs
     is nothing but a fable.
Do you want a guided tour
     of the Mecca of Love?
Come, sit in the tavern, for the trip
     to Arabia is long and tedious.
They refused me entrance at first
     at the wineshop
so I went to the monastery
     and found an open door -- but
I heard a voice from within the tavern
     crying, "'Iraqi!
Open the door for yourself, the gates
     of drunkenness are always agape!"

 

 

Sheikh Abu-Said Abil-Kheir's poetry

 

Source poetry: 

Poetry Chaikhana

 

 

Ḥāfeẓ-e Shīrāzī - Watch me whirl

 

 

 I am a Golden Compass –
Watch me whirl.
 
To the east and to the west,
To the north and to the south,
In all directions I will true your course
Toward laughter and unity.
 
To everywhere I will deliver enlightenment
On the backs of camels, birds
And strong pilgrims.
 
Into every country
I will carry the Holy Names and dance
And dance.
 
I am a Golden Compass –
Watch me sing and spin
Illustrious strands of lyrics and truth.
 
I am a divine Agent.
Your passage to light, your ticket,
May need my stamp.
 
My feet and verse are now ecstatic
And midair;
Just place your self beneath our leaping arch –
We will sweetly rain upon you.
 
Watch me whirl into nothingness
Your fears and darkness –
Just keep tossing them onto my golden plate.
 
I am a Holy Instrument always tuned by God
I live beyond every dimension.
 
I have been lifted drunk off the floor
In a Magnificent Tavern.
 
Now at my seat upon Divine Love
I gaze at Everything with brilliant, clear eyes.
 
I can so easily lean my cheek across this small table
Of time and space
 
And let you touch my beautiful laughing
Wooly beard.
 
Hafiz is an Emerald Compass.
My knowledge will put manna in your purse.
 
My only duty that now remains
To this world
 
Is from every direction
To forever serve you wine and
Hope.
 
Hafiz is a Golden Skirt
The Beloved has lifted off a magnificent floor
And has tied around His waist.
 
Watch us whirl, whirl,
Whirl!