[Sunlight] Nurture me from Thine own self -- Ghazal 1407

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What didst Thou drink last night? Tell me, my
sugar-sweet idol, so that I may drink the same -- day and night,
all year long, for the rest of my life.
If Thou misleadest me, Thy color will tell the
tale -- ever since I saw Thy color, my head has been stunned.
For a time, pull up Thy reins -- leave me not in
haste! Let my heart light up, let me gaze upon Thee to the
full.
My heart is beating wildly -- stay still for a
moment! The blood keeps dripping from my eyes -- leave not
my gaze in haste!
When I am far from Thee, I teach the earth to
be dark and dismal; but when I see Thee for an instant, I light
up the azure heavens.
When the sun's cheek moves far from the
earth's countenance, night must pull down a black cloth of
separation.
But when the sun shows itself in the morning,
the earth dons white garments -- oh, Thy Face is the spirit's
sun! Do not go far from me!
Be not a tyrant, oh Idol! Spill not my blood
without cause! Close not Thy heart toward me, oh Idol, smash
not my gem!
Last night the cup placed Thy Image in my
hand -- before I saw Thee there, I had no desire for wine.
Thou hast given the heavens and earth a potion
through which they have grown fat -- nurture me from Thine
own Self, for I am emaciated!
Oh quarrelsome Idol, Thy quarrelling has made
even sugar drunk! Thy Spirit is my spirit, Thy Star my star!
I keep on telling my heart, "Drink blood and
stay silent!" But it just shrugs its shoulders: You be silent,
I'm deaf."

-- Ghazal (Ode) 1407
Translation by William C. Chittick
"The Sufi Path of Love"
SUNY Press, 1983

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[Sunlight] Nurture me from Thine own self -- Ghazal 1407