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

The thought of your love keeps me lovedrunk

در سر هوس عشق تو دارم همه روز
All the days, I hold the thought of your love as a desire in my mind
در عشق تو مست و بیقرارم همه روز
Immersed in your love I am drunk and restless every day
مر مستان را خمار یک روزه بود
The drunk experience drunken ness only for a day
من آن مستم که در خمارم همه روز
I am that drunk who remains lovedrunk Forever

What Alexander sought in vain

آن چه اسکندر طلب کرد و ندادش روزگار
جرعهای بود از زلال جام جان افزای تو

A poem by Hafez in which we quote this line.

That which Alexander sought in vain
And Fate did not give him
Was but a small cup of that sparkling clear, life giving jug of yours!