"Inside the Rose"

That camel there with its calf running
behind it, Sutur and Koshek, we're like

them: mothered and nursed by where and
who we are from, following our fates

where they lead, until we hear a drum
begin, grace entering our lives, a prayer

of gratitude. We feel the call of God,
and the journey changes. A dry field

of stones turns soft and moist as cheese.
The mountain feels level under us. Love

becomes agile and quick, and suddenly
we're there! This traveling's not done

with the body. God's secret takes form
in your loving. But there are those in

bodies who are pure soul. It can happen.
These messengers invite us to walk with

them. They say, "You may feel happy
enough where you are, but we can't do

without you any longer! Please." So
we walk along inside the rose, being

pulled like the creeks and rivers are,
out from the town onto the plain. My
guide, my soul, your only sadness is when
I am not walking with you. In deep silence,

with some exertion to stay in your company,
I could save you a lot of trouble!

-- Ghazal (Ode) 200
Version by Coleman Barks, with Nevit Ergin
"The Glance"
Viking-Penguin, 1999

The image:
http://tinyurl.com/q422f

"Inside the Rose"