What is to be done, O Muslims? for I do not know myself. I am neither Christian, nor Jew, nor Magian, nor Muslim. I am not of the East, nor of the West, nor of the land, nor of the sea; I am not of Nature’s quarry, nor of the heaven circling above….
Quevedo-Love Constant Beyond Death
Amor Constante Mas Allá de la Muerte (Love Constant Beyond Death) By Francisco de Quevedo Translation by A.Z. Foreman That terminal shadow may with darkness seal my eyes shut when it steals white day from me, and in an instant, flattering the zeal of this my eager soul, let it go free. But on this…
Variations on a Theme: Emptiness
Love came and emptied me of self, Every vein and every pore, Made into a container to be filled by the Beloved. Of me, only a name is left, The rest is You my Friend, my Beloved. -Abu Sai’d Abu’l Khayr (trans. Vraje Abramian) from Nobody Son of Nobody. Hohm Press, 2001 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xyn3rHLw3zY Turn…
Variations on a Theme: Heaven and Hell
My Beloved, this torture and pain I suffer because I am so addicted to Your Beauty. People ask me whether I prefer Your company to being in heaven. Heedless fools, what would heaven itself mean without the Friend’s Presence? -Abu Sa’id Abu’l Khayr (trans. Vraje Abramian) from Nobody Son of Nobody. Hohm Press, 2001 Selected…
Variations on a Theme: Alone with Love
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…
Variations on a theme (with words and without)
With words: My Beloved don’t be heartless with me Your Presence is my only cure How can I be left with neither a heart nor my Beloved? Either give me back my heart, or do not deny me Your Presence -Abu Sai’d Abu’l Khayr (trans. Vraje Abramian) from Nobody Son of Nobody. Hohm Press, 2001 …
Heart-break
When it hurts so good… Long as I live I’ll eat and drink the sorrow of loving you nor will I surrender it, this sorrow to anyone when I am dead. Tomorrow when Resurrection comes I’ll walk forth with this raging thirst still in my head -‘Ayn al Qozat Hamadani from The Drunken Universe….
Andalusi Mawwal-Take the cup round
Haz circular la copa It’s amazing what you can do with two verses… فَأدِر كأس من أُحِبُّ وأهْوى فَهوى من أُحِبُّ عَين صَلاحي لوْ سَقاهَا لميِّت عاد حَيًّا فَهي روحي وَ راحة الأرْواحِ Translation: Take…
Shaykh Ahmadu Bamba-Fuzti (A poem for Sayyidatna Maryam)
Original: فزت بظرف الحسنات سيدة لمحسنات مريم فقت موقنات عند الذي لم يدرك كن فيكون لك قاد خير رسول لا انتقاد وبك فاز ذو اعتقاد ولم يكن بمشرك لم يخف عند المؤمنين كونك حب المذعنين يا أم خير محسنين معصومة من شرك يقودني لمدحك ما عنك فضلا قد حكي فزت ببشر مضحك كلِّ تَقِيٍّ…
Ibn al-Farid-Be haughty becasue that’s your right
as sung by the remarkable Saad Temsamani تهْ دلالاً فأنتَ أهلٌ لذاكا وتَحكّمْ، فالحُسْنُ قد أعطاكَا ولكَ الأمرُ فاقضِ ما أنتَ قاضٍ فعلّي الجمالُ قدْ ولاّكا Translation: Be haughty, because you’re worth it, and have your way Because of what beauty has given you The command is yours, so judge what you’re the judge of Because…