Cristina Branco “Vida Triste” Translation: Condemned to live sad Is he who loves much. You, my heart, never withstood The love that the pain inflames. Again my tortured heart Sought shelter in thy breast, uselessly; No one will console the burning thirst Nor is it is satisfied with the delights of passion. And always, for…
My art is loving that beauty
Translation: Go tell the faqih for me My art is loving that beauty My drink is with him, from the glass and the Ḥaḍra, with those gathered round and my dear friends around me lifted all my burdens from me Go tell the faqih for me My art is loving that beauty Which Way do you…
Love’s Martyr: Qutb ad-Din Bakhtiar Kaki
The great Indian Sufi shaykh, disciple of Mu’in ad-Din Chisti and master to Baba Farid, is said to have heard the following verses during a qawwali performance: كشتگان خنجر تسليم را هر زمان از غيب جان ديگر است For the victims of the dagger of surrender There is new life at…
Andalusian Sufi Medley
This great recording starts with a poem by al-Ḥarrāq and then includes another poem of Shushtari’s, included in another fine recording below: Translation: I got what I sought When I see my love I see my Self Why am I tired and abandoned while I am the beloved? My secret is hidden from me, yet…
Ah Layla…
While there are many great poems about Layla, I’ve never read anything better than these two little gems from Shushtari… Translation: Layla robbed me of my reason I said, O Layla, have mercy on [those you have] slain Her love is hidden enshrined in my bones O you who are entranced by her Humble…
Rumi-Your hair is Laylat al-Qadr
Translation: It’s morning and there’s wine so we’re going to stand on the sky We’re going to go beyond Taurus to the constellation of the moon We’re not looking for a fight, and have nothing to say about others For it’s time for union, and with that we’ll be glad Your face is a…
Hafez on Laylat al-Qadr
Translation: Last night, at the moment of dawn, they saved me from sorrow And in the darkness of night, they gave me the water of life By the rays of the light of the Essence they made me selfless They gave me wine from the cup of the radiance of the Attributes What a…
Words of love…
Translation: There are words we kiss, As if they had mouths Words of love of hope, Immense love, crazy hope Naked words that kiss you When the night loses taste, Words that refuse, The walls of your sorrow. Suddenly, colorful, Between words without color, Expected, unexpected Like poetry, love. The name of the beloved, Revealed…
I began by mentioning my love…
Legend has it that Shushtari’s master gave him a tambourine and made him sing in the market for his money (probably as a way of teaching the young nobleman humility). He kept repeating the first line of this song over and over again, unable to come up with anything else, until inspiration struck, and the…
Andalusian Love Songs: Shushtari and Camaron (part 2)
Translation: You who took my heart from me, your love stole my senses You hid me from myself, and in myself, I don’t appear I’m hidden form my sight, as if I were invisible So I went out to look for me, maybe I’ll find myself… Love of the beautiful, o brother, is my art…