Dividing God
The moon starts singing
When everyone is asleep
And the planets throw a bright robe
Around their shouldersand whirl up
Close to her side.
Once I asked the moon,
Why do you and your sweet friends
Not perform so romantically like that
To a larger crowd?
And the whole sky chorus resounded,
"The admission price to hear
The lofty minstrels
Speak of love
Is affordable only to those
Who have not exhausted themselves
Dividing God all day
And thus need rest.
The thrilled Tavern fiddlers
Who are perched on the roof
Do not want their notes to intrude
Upon the ears
Where an accountant lives
With a sharp pencil
Keeping score of words
Another
In their great sorrow or sad anger
May have once said
To you."
Hafiz knows:
The sun will stand as your best man
And whistle
When you have found the courage
To marry forgiveness
When you have found the courage
to marry
Love.
Hafiz, "The Gift", translated by Daniel Ladinsky
This is one of my favorite poems of Hafiz. Thanks.