Saturday 29 October 2011

From the Large Jug, Drink...by Hafiz

From the large jug,
drink the wine of Unity,
So that from your heart
you can wash away the futility of life's grief.

But like this large jug,
still keep the heart expansive.
Why would you want to keep the heart captive,
like an unopened bottle of wine?

With your mouth full of wine, you are selfless
And will never boast of your own abilities again.

Be like the humble stone at your feet
rather than striving to be like a Sublime cloud:
the more you mix colors of deceit,
the more colorless your ragged wet coat will get.

Connect the heart to the wine,
so that it has body,
Then cut off the neck of hypocrisy
and piety of this new man.

Be like Hafiz:
Get up and make an effort.
Don't lie around like a bum.

He who throws himself at the Beloved's feet
is like a workhorse and will be rewarded
with boundless pastures and eternal rest.

~ Hafiz
(From the Large Jug, Drink)
From: Drunk on the Wine of the Beloved
Translated by Thomas Rain Crowe


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