Poem by Hafiz.
Read by Donna Goddard.
At Warrandyte River, Warrandyte, Victoria, Australia.
Translation by Daniel Ladinsky.
Not With Wings – Hafiz
Vicious – poem
The inspiration for this poem came, a few days ago, after watching The Bookshop. I was reminded of how vicious people can be when they feel that someone is stopping them from getting something they want. Florence “had a kind heart, though that is not of much use when it comes to the matter of self-preservation.” Indeed, her kind heart seemed to be of no use at all when faced with Mrs. Gamart who was as vicious as she was manipulative and powerful. Eventually, courage wins the day, although, not in the way that was first hoped.
Play your cards.
Leave no trace.
Pick a time.
Pick a place.
Keep your fire
smouldering low
until you strike
a cruel blow.
Guide the gullible.
Keep them blind.
Trick the trusting.
Destroy the kind.
Vicious, vicious.
You cannot win.
For life supports not
the treachery within.
Courage, courage.
Get up, get up.
I will help you.
Drink from the grace-cup.
Muddled mind,
the waters will clear.
And you will see
the savage dears.
Kind, kind.
Do not despair.
I hear and heed
your caring prayer.
Surrender – poem
I surrender all to you.
I surrender my life to you.
I will do whatever you want.
I will go wherever you want.
I will love whoever you ask me to love.
I will give up all my stupid opinions.
I will give up all my hopeless cravings.
I release my broken dreams.
I forfeit my planned futures.
I am at your mercy.
I will think no thought
or proceed with any action
which does not come from you
because You love me.
Strange Words – poem
There you are.
Standing right here.
I miss you.
Standing here,
talking strange words.
I miss you.
Strange words,
telling me plans.
I miss you.
You speak of dreams
and dream of things
that go a million ways.
There you are.
But where is you?
The you, I know you are.
There you are.
Standing right here.
Talking strange words.
I miss you.
Strange words,
telling me plans.
You speak of dreams
and dream of things
that go a million ways.
There you are.
But where is you?
The you, I know you are.
The other you,
the different one.
The one that makes two ONE.
Today, I Will Be Happy – poem
Today, I will be happy.
Today, I will look up.
I will see the sunshine, the rain, the sky.
Vast. Giving. Forgiving.
Today, I will be happy.
Today, I will see.
I will see you. You who changes clothes,
changes colour, changes history, and changes destiny.
Today, I will be happy.
Today, I will remember the hurt and forget the pain.
Those long-loved; loved still.
Those now-loved; we’re blessed.
Today, I will be happy.
Maybe, I wasn’t happy yesterday.
Maybe, I won’t be happy tomorrow.
But today, today, I will be happy.
