In music and words…
O my Lord,
the stars glitter
and the eyes of men are closed.
Kings have locked their doors
and each lover is alone with his love.
Here, I am alone with you.
-Rabi’a al-Basri (trans. Charles Upton)
The lovers have all gone to bed
And I’m alone with you
I’ve said goodnight to all my friends
And I’m alone with you
The stars are spinning overhead
And I’m alone with you
The wind is dancing through trees’ heads
And I’m alone with you
Thought fall like leaves, all dry and dead
And I’m alone with you
The dawn breeze comes with plumes of red
And I’m alone with you
Sun rises like a loaf of bread
And I’m alone with you
The day returns, loud, well-rested
And I’m alone with you
And though it seems like we’ve parted
I’m still alone with you
In every joy that I’ve tasted
I’m still alone with you
Each moment seized or just wasted
I’m still alone with you
As life runs back where it started
I’m still alone with you
Then what’s the point of this? Love said
To be alone with you