PLAYING IN THE BRILLIANCE

The Pir (the saint) looks out from his boat,
That has sunk
To the bottom of the Ocean.

And he so clearly sees
That all the fish
Are playing in the Soft Brilliance.

The Pir lifts his lute
From the bow of his boat

Then starts singing:

"Dear ones,
Why let your winsome body act
As if it is living against a tyrant's knife?

Why pretend your expansive existence,
Your Imperial Nature,

Have all been squeezed
Into a tiny red hot skillet

That is being kicked by a camel's hoof
Over the dry sand?"

For your friend Hafiz
So clearly sees we are all immersed
In the Soft Brilliance.

We are all just waiting to break camp-
Into God.

(Hafiz)

'The Subject Tonight Is Love' by Daniel Ladinsky