Sunlight: [Sunlight] "Would You Bow?" -- Ghazal 2938

Monday, September 08, 2008

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"Would You Bow?"

If the Friend rose inside you, would you
bow? Would you wonder where that one

came from and how? If you say, "I will
bow," that's important. If you answer,

"But can I be sure?" it will keep the
meeting from happening, as busy people

rush there and back here murmuring, Now
I know; no, I don't know now. Have you

seen a camel with its eyes covered turn
and walk one way, then turn another?

Be silent and revolve with no will.
Don't raise your hand to ask anything.

Holy one, sitting in the body's well
like Joseph, a rope is there in front

of you. Lift your hand to that! A
blind man has bought you for eighteen

counterfeit coins. Empty metal cups
bang together, and the full moon slides

out of hiding. Make one sound, please!
You are the precious hyacinth that the

sickle will spare, not the wheat plant
Adam ate. I remind you with these poems

to dress in the flower of God's qualities,
not your torn robe of self-accusation.

-- Ghazal (Ode) 2938
Version by Coleman Barks, with Nevit Ergin
"The Glance"
Viking-Penguin, 1999

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