One of my favorite English poems of all time is reminiscent of Sufi poetry about Layla, whose name means “night,” and who symbolizes the beloved Divine Essence/Essence of the Self. Lord Byron https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_zCOJOgd4U She walks in beauty, like the night Of cloudless climes and starry skies; And all that’s best of dark and bright Meet…
Shushtari—Red, Red Wine
Shushtari I drink wine from the cup and from myself I approach myself In myself it is myself I love For it is my spirit, my reality the fine wine that fills me and quenches my thirst I care not what others may say I seek in myself what I already have Drink up in…
Shustari-If Loving You Is Wrong…
Shushtari My neglect of you is reprehensible, while your love is a duty my longing is everlasting, while union is elusive On the tablet of my heart, your love has been marked my tears are the ink, and beauty is the writer The reader of my thoughts constantly recites lessons on the signs of the…
Natural Mystic
Shushtari Natural, Natural, ay, by God, Natural Natural, Natural, ay By God, Natural A poor man like me, with a begging bag around my neck My heart is free of any care And I like people who are light-hearted Such is the natural, he is liked by every natural Natural, Natural, ay, by God, Natural…
I looked and all I saw was you…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1ZMU1dZpIY Translation: If the meaning of your speech is not for me, then I don’t know For my heart will not be cured and my liver’s fire will not be quenched I looked and I didn’t see any one but you whom I love If not for you, love would not be sweet for those who…
‘Iraqi and Shushtari—The Wealth of Poverty
‘Iraqi Translation: I have seen that the lane of piety stretches out, far, far into the distance; My dearest friends, can you not show me then the way of the madman? Bring me a glass of Magian wine that I may drink deep for I have given up all thought of ascetic piety; or…
O you present in my heart…
Translation: O you present in my heart, thinking of you makes me sweet If no one ever visits my eye, then my heart will take its place for me I am not gone, but my body is vanishing from wasting away So no blamer found me, and no chaperone/rival saw me Had the era known about me, people would…
Me/not Me
Shah Niyaz Barelvi A lover without news I am I am not I, yet I am I A Knower with art I am I am not I, nay I am I Burning of the heart and liver I am Restless in seclusion I am knowledgeable of all cures I am I am not I, nay…
If only they knew the subtleties of Layla’s love…
Translation: If only they understood the subtleties of Layla’s love Her love would be all they needed to experience of love If he meets someone from Layla’s neighborhood he’ll abase himself before him and fall to pieces If not for her, he wouldn’t have been abased Kissing this wall and that until he becomes carried away in love for…
Who am I?
Bulleh Shah Translation: Bulleh, what do I know about who I am? I am not a believer in the mosques, nor do I follow the rites of unbelief. I am not among the pure or polluted. I am neither Moses nor Pharoah. I am not in the Vedas or in the scriptures; I…