The Tale of the Flute

Listen to how this flute complains 

Telling us tales of separations,

“Ever since I was cut from the reedbed  

 men and women have moaned from my cry

I seek one whose heart is torn with separation

So I can tell them the tale of the pain of longing.

Whoever is left far from their source

Will seek again the day of reunion 

I empathized with many groups

I paired with the happy and the sad

Each befriended me from their angle

But none sought out the secret within me

You will find my secret not far from my cry

Yet they haven’t that light, the ear and eye

Body and soul can’t be hidden long from each other

Yet people have no command over this inner vision

The sound of the flute is not from wind, but fire

May those without this fire; cease to exist!

It is the fire of love that fell in the flute

It is the bubbling of love that fell into wine

The flute’s a companion to those parted with a friend

Whose veils have cut asunder our own veils

Who has seen poison and antidote in one, like the flute?

Who has seen a companion and eager friend like the flute?

The flute tells a tale of a much bloodied way

Tells us stories of insane love 

The confidant of this awareness is no-awareness

the tongue’s best customer is the ear

In our sorrow; the days go by

The days are coupled with painful longing

Tell the passing days, “Go, I have no fear!”

stay with me– besides whom there is none pure