Seek warmth only from that burning inner desire - Ode 2943

گرمی مجوی الا از سوزش درونی زیرا نگشت روشن دل از آتش برونی

بیمار رنج باید تا شاه غیب آید در سینه در گشاید گوید زلطف چونی

آن نافهای آهوان زلف یار خوش خو آن را تو در کمی جو کان نیست در فزونی
تا آدمی نمیرد جان ملک نگیرد جز کشته کی پذیرد عشق نگار خونی
بر دل چو زخم راند دل سر جان بداند آنگه نه عیب ماند در نفس و نی حرونی
غم چون تو را فشارد تا از خودت بر آرد پس بر تو نور بارد از چرخ آبگونی
در عین درد بنشین هر لحظه دوست می بین آخر چرا تو مسکین اندر پی فسونی
تبریز جان فزودی چون شمس حق نمودی از وی خجسته بودی پیوسته نی کنونی
عشقش بگفته با تو یا ما رویم یا تو ... ساکن مباش تا در جنبش وسکونی
مولانا غزل2943

Seek warmth- only- from that burning inner desire,
the enlightened heart is never lit from an external fire!

The ailing suffer, so the Unmanifest King can come to their heart
expand it with Grace, and ask, "are you doing well?"

The deer musk and the locks of the beloved's hair:
seek them only through subtle decrease-- never increase!

His love says, it is either you or I: one of us must go!
Don't be static while you are in motion and rest.

The heart knows the soul's secrets, even if it hurts.
Then, the flustered ego will no longer make mistakes.

When sorrow squeezes you hard, making you want to come out of yourself
That's when Light will shine on you, from the flowing firmament.

Sit, even through pain; every moment see the Friend,
why are you so forlorn, searching for another magic?

Tabriz, you enrich our Lives, like Shams you give it Truthfulness,
Good fortune has always come from Him-  not just now!



Thanks to A. Norouzifar for the ghazal and J. Magram for asking for a translation.

Waves of Light Rustle Leaves

Magnificence Overwhelms

 

The Sun of Truth Rises with Grace

 

The Sound of the Words of Love

There is no sweeter memory, 

          Everlasting, 

          in
          this turn-
                ing
         firmament

                than the sound 

                                    of the words

                                                       of Love...

-Hafez

Barely There a wisp of thought

 

Motherly Love

همه جور و جفا و محنت عشق
All the injustices, pains and sorrows of love
بر او شیرین چو مهر مادری شد
grew sweet, like Motherly love only can.

Ode 679

You bring me back to Life -- Ode 1393

I was dead. You brought me back to life.

My being, once teemed with tears, you changed them into laughter.

As the Power of Love came forth, I gained Everlasting Power.

My senses are content; my soul, brimming with courage.

The courage of a lion. Like Venus -- I shine forth.

He said, "Begone! You haven’t lost your sanity and no longer deserve to be in this house!"

So, I went .  I grew  insane with love, chains and all and I returned.

He said,"Leave! You are not drunk enough; not one of us!"

So, I left. When I found the meaning of being drunk with my whole being,

overwhelmed with joy, I returned.

He said,"What? Are you not prepared to give your life – to melt  your being in bliss?"

And then I saw His Face; I would lay down my life for that life-bestowing Face.

He said,"You are all guile; immersed in doubts and [mundane] thoughts!"

So, I became simple and ignorant; no doubts, no concerns. I corrected my ways and disconnected myself from the influence of people.

He said, "You have become the shining light and leader of this gathering!"

I objected:  "I am not the light! I am no leader  here!"

So I turned into smoke and scattered in the six directions....

I am nolonger a leader, I am not out in front , anymore

I yield to Your command !

He said,"You have aspiring wings! How can I give you new ones?"

So, I shed my feathers and left my wings, wanting  only those He would give.

"Don’t give in to new promises", He said, "Don't fret over promises of power and position."

           So, through His Grace and Benevolence I drew nearer.

He said,"Don't recount tales of old love for us!"

           I replied, "Yes-- I won't!" And I became still with Being.

My heart, felt those lifegiving rays of light,

My heart opened and swallowed the whole world.

Drown your soul in the ocean of Light

چه زیانستش از آن نقش نفور
What harm can come from that pattern of fright
چونک جانش غرق شد در بحر نور
When you drown your soul in the ocean of light
وصف و صورت نیست اندر خامهها
The writing pen cannot contain
the images you describe
عالم و عادل بود در نامهها
Yet wisdom and justice
are found in those letters you write
عالم و عادل همه معنیست بس
Wisdom and justice hold
great depths of meaning
کش نیابی در مکان و پیش و پس
that cannot be fathomed
front or back
میزند بر تن ز سوی لامکان
Which direction does it come upon us?
The Directionless.
[And hits the body from the direction of the Directionless.]
مینگنجد در فلک خورشید جان
The Sun of the Soul cannot be contained even in the firmament.

Masnavi Book 1, 55

The clouded Mind