Listen to me, Dear: he understands who loves...by Kabir

I PLAYED day and night with my wishes,
and now I am greatly afraid.

So high is my Beloved's palace,
my heart trembles to mount its stairs:
yet I must not be shy,
if I would enjoy His love.

My heart must cleave to my Lover;
I must withdraw my veil,
and meet Him with all my body:

Mine eyes must perform
the ceremony of the lamps of love.

Kabîr says: "Listen to me, Dear:
he understands who loves.

If you feel not love's longing
for your Beloved One,
it is vain to adorn your body,
vain to put unguent on your eyelids.

~ Kabir
The Songs of Kabir,
tr. by Rabindranath Tagore
Art by Bianca Imoree