If It Is Not Too Dark Go for a walk, if it is not too dark.
Get some fresh air, try to smile.
Say something kind
To a safe-looking stranger, if one happens by.
Always exercise your heart’s knowing.
You might as well attempt something real
Along this path:
Take your spouse or lover into your arms
The way you did when you first met.
Let tenderness pour from your eyes
The way the Sun gazes warmly on the earth.
Play a game with some children.
Extend yourself to a friend.
Sing a few ribald songs to your pets and plants — Why not let them get drunk and wild!
Let’s toast
Every rung we’ve climbed on Evolution’s ladder.
Whisper, “I love you! I love you!”
To the whole mad world.
Let’s stop reading about God — We will never understand Him.
Jump to your feet, wave your fists,
Threaten and warn the whole Universe
That your heart can no longer live
Without real love!

I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness the astonishing light of your own being

The moon is most happy
When it is full.
And the sun always looks
Like a perfectly minted gold coin
That was just Polished
And placed in flight
By God’s playful Kiss.
And so many varieties of fruit
Hang plump and round
From branches that seem like a Sculptor’s hands.
I see the beautiful curve of a pregnant belly
Shaped by a soul within,

There are moments in moist love where Heaven is jealous of what we on Earth can do

I do not feel like writing verses; but as I light my perfume burner with myrrh and jasmine incense, they suddenly burgeon from my heart, like flowers in a garden.

The
Difference
Between a good artist
And a great one

Is:

The novice
Will often lay down his tool
Or brush

Then pick up an invisible club
On the mind’s table

And helplessly smash the easels and
Jade.

Whereas the vintage man
No longer hurts himself or anyone

And keeps on
Sculpting
Light.

TROUBLED Troubled?
Then stay with me, for I’m not. Lonely?
A thousand naked amorous ones dwell in ancient caves
Beneath my eyelids. Riches?
Here’s a pick,
My whole body is an emerald that begs,
“Take me.” Write all that worries you on a piece of parchment;
Offer it to God.
Even from the distance of a millennium I can lean the flame in my heart
Into your life And turn
All that frightens you
Into holy
Incense
Ash.

তারপর ও, এতো বহু হাজার বছর পরেও,
সূর্য কখনো চাঁদকে বলে না,
‘তোমার রুপে্রছটা তো আমারই দান'।
সত্যিকারের ভালবাসা তো এমনই হয়,
ভালবাসার আলোয় সারা আকাশ ভেসে যায়।
translated by - Professon Khair Jahan Sogra, IBA, University of Dhaka

Would You Think It Odd? Would you think it odd if Hafiz said,
“I am in love with every church
And mosque
And temple
And any kind of shrine
Because I know it is there
That people say the different names
Of the One God.”
Would you tell your friends
I was a bit strange if I admitted I am indeed in love with every mind
And heart and body.
O I am sincerely
Plumb crazy
About your every thought and yearning
And limb Because, my dear,
I know
That it is through these
That you search for Him.