Rumi The body is like Mary. Each of us has a Jesus, but so long as no pain appears, our Jesus is not born. If pain never comes, our Jesus goes back to his place of origin on the same secret path he had come, and we remain behind, deprived and without a share…
Two ghazals of Hafez
No one has seen your face, and yet Thousands of rivals seek you; You’re still a bud and yet a hundred Nightingales entreat you. However far I am from you (May no one know that place!) I cannot help but hope that soon I’ll be in your embrace; And it’s not strange that…
Along the path…
The love of her beauty is a sea of fire. If you’re a lover you’ll burn; such is the path. Where a bright candle’s flame suddenly heaves won’t the moth burn? Its burning is certain. If you want love’s secret, leave faith and disbelief. What room is…
And Joy, whose hand is ever at his lips, bidding adieu
Hafez Come tell me what it is that I have gained From loving you, Apart from losing all the faith I had And knowledge too? Though longing for you scatters on the wind All my life’s work Still, by the dust on your dear feet, I have kept faith with you And even…
Camaron and Hafez: Love’s Minstrels
Translation of Lyrics: Strumming the strings of his guitar, Strumming the strings of his guitar, A Sultan complained of his Queen. Two wells of stars, your black eyes, And a moonless rose, your black hair, Your black hair, your black hair, Two wells of stars, your black eyes. The rosemary bush smells of your body,…
From ‘Imrani, the Jewish Persian poet
My body exhausted, my soul injured, and my heart wounded I am estranged from the Beloved and distant from myself I am worn out as the wretched I am distraught and mournful as the beggars Having lost the essence of youth, My soul has grown old for want of strength Yet! Despite all these pains…
Rumi on Karbala
كل يوم عاشوراء وكل ارض كربلاء Translation: Where are you, o martyrs of God? You calamity seekers of the desert of Karbala Where are you, o you the light-winged lovers Lighter than the birds of heaven, o celestial soveirgns Who have opened the gates of the heavenly spheres You who have released yourself from time and…
Shaykh Bahaii Amuli
A translation of the lyrics (by M. Dilmaghani): — So long, in plead of unison with thee my eyelids are drowned in the deluge of tear. So long, in plead of unison with thee, Thou, the sole beloved! The arrow of thy sorrow pierced all lovers’ heart… For how long, how long shall…
Flamenco is Love and Pain
“Flamenco is love and pain,” he said. “Heartbreak. In art there has to be pain, that is clear – it is like life, whether you want it or not, it is there.” -Vicente Amigo in an interview http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCoyXkD_n3I Hafez says… مرا می*بینی و هر دم زیادت می*کنی دردم Marâ mibini o hardam, ziyâdat mikoni dardam…
Like water…
“Consider the creatures as pure and limpid water, within which shine the Attributes of the Almighty. Their knowledge, their justice, their kindness all are stars of heaven reflected in flowing water. Kings are a locus of manifestation for God’s Kingliness, the learned a locus for His Knowledge. Generations have passed, and this is a new…