Though I’ve had significant periods of my life in search of God, I don’t have answers. That might be the point. Surrendering to not-knowing might be the closest any of us get to divine. And, and, and…
I love the poetry of Hafiz, the 13th century Persian Poet. I love the full and rich melodies that I’ve read. I also love the single sentences that he offers. This poem below in included in a publication, Love Poems From God: Twelve Sacred Voices from the East and West, compiled by Daniel Ladinsky. I opened this book this morning seeking some Hafiz. The tenderness of this poem was a gift I needed to hear in words.
Enjoy.
My Sweet, Crushed Angel
Hafiz
You have
not danced so badly, my dear,
trying to hold hands with the Beautiful One.
You have waltzed with great style, my sweet, crushed angel,
to have ever neared God’s heart at all.
Our Partner is notoriously difficult to follow, and even His
best musicians are not always easy to hear.
So what if the music has stopped for a while.
So what if the price of admission to the Divine is out of reach tonight.
So what, my sweetheart, if you lack the ante to gamble for real love.
The mind and the body are famous for holding the heart ransom,
but Hafiz knows the Beloved’s eternal habits. Have patience,
for He will not be able to resist your longings
and charms for long.
You have not danced so badly, my dear,
trying to kiss the Magnificent
One.
You have actually waltzed with tremendous style,
my sweet, O my sweet,
crushed
angel.