OUT OF THIS MESS

Pray
To be humble
So that God does not
Have to appear to be so stingy.

O pray to be honest,
Strong,
Kind,
And pure,

So that the Beloved is never miscast
As a cruel great miser.

I know you have a hundred complex cases
Against God in court,

But never mind, wayfarer,
Let's just get out of this mess

And pray to be loving and humble
So that the Friend will be forced to reveal

Himself
So

Near!

(Hafiz)

'The Gift' Poems by Hafiz - translations by Daniel Ladinsky