(After Hafiz)

When you were a kid Someone first pinched you You cried out: Mommy! Later when someone else came Around and hammered nails In the middle of your trunk.

You swore at them Dirtiest curses of the marketplace Pushing those rusting nails Deeper into yourself.

Now you toss all day and night With some nameless pain Which you haven’t had examined.

Look at yourself, brother. See how many holes Beloved Has already knocked in your walls To let her light to stream through

If only, if only you let the acid Of love do its work!

Since You Have made me mad In Your love All my accompanying Doubts have left Through the twin Doors of my face.

The heart in which I now stand jailed For a long time - Is that Judge's, Who has sentenced Me to an infinite Term of love!

Dear stones why Do you rain on My head today? Did you forget That I once held You up as my God?

Drink up, drink up This glass of suffering Bottoms up, Nas, For to endurance Of pain too, Nature has Allotted a share Of ecstatic pleasure!

[A] After putting away Their summer shirts of Green linen

Oak trees in the yard, tonight Wear long smoky cloaks Studded with bright stars!

[B] In the morning Someone sits at the window Knitting lace

Over the blue sky, With swift needles Of airplanes.