Poems

 

I will just say this

We bloomed in spring.
Our bodies are the leaves of God.
The apparent seasons of life and death
our eyes can suffer;
but our souls, dear,
I will just say this forthright:
they are God Himself,
we will never perish
unless He does.  

St Teresa of Avila

  Love Colloquy

 If, Lord, your love for me is strong 
As this which I have for You,
Tell me: what holds me from You so long, Lord?
And what holds You, Lord, so long from me?

-Soul, what do you want from me?
- My Lord, I only wish to see You.
-And what do you most fear about you?
-What I most fear is to lose You.

A soul hidden in God,
What else does it have to wish,
but to love, and love still more,
and in love totally hidden,
start to love You yet again?

A dwelling love, I ask You,
My God, may my soul have for You,
In order to build a sweet nest
where it pleases it most.

 St Teresa Avila
(Translated by Robert Delgado)

You and I  

Happy the moment when we are seated in the Palace, you and I,
With two forms and with two figures but with one soul, you and I.
The colours of the grove and the voice of the birds will bestow immortality
At the time when we come into the garden, you and I.
The stars of heaven will come to gaze upon us;
We shall show them the Moon itself, you and I.
You and I, individuals no more, shall be mingled in ecstasy,
Joyful and secure from foolish babble, you and I.
All the bright-plumed birds of heaven will devour their hearts with envy
In the place where we shall laugh in such a fashion, you and I.
This is the greatest wonder, that you and I, sitting here in the same nook,
Are at this moment both in Iraq and Khorasan, you and I.

  Jelaluddin Rumi
    

I have learned so much from God

I have learned so much from God
That I can no longer call myself
A Christian, a Hindu, a Muslim
A Buddhist, a Jew.

The Truth has shared so much of Itself with me
That I can no longer call myself
A man, a woman, an angel
Or even pure Soul.

Love has befriended Hafiz so completely
It has turned to ash
And freed me
Of every concept and image
My mind has ever known.

Hafiz

 

 

To a Young Man

The great were once as you.
They whom men magnify today
Once groped and blundered on life's way,
Were fearful of themselves, and thought
By magic was men's greatness wrought.
They feared to try what they could do;
Yet Fame hath crowned with her success
The selfsame gifts that you possess.

The great were young as you,
Dreaming the very dreams you hold,
Longing yet fearing to be bold,
Doubting that they themselves possessed
The strength and skill for every test,
Uncertain of the truths they knew,
Not sure that they could stand to fate
With all the courage of the great.

Then came a day when they
Their first bold venture made,
Scorning to cry for aid.
They dared to stand to fight alone,
Took up the gauntlet life had thrown,
Charged full-front to the fray,
Mastered their fear of self, and then,
Learned that our great men are but men.

Oh, youth, go forth and do!
You, too, to fame may rise;
You can be strong and wise.
Stand up to life and play the man -
You can if you'll but think you can;
The great were once as you.
You envy them their proud success?
'Twas won with gifts that you possess.

Edgard Albert Guest

  

Try smiling

When the weather suits you not, try smiling;

When your coffee isn't hot, try smiling.
When your neighbors don't do right,
Or your relatives all fight,
Sure 'tis hard, but then you might
Try smiling.

Doesn't change the things, of course, just smiling,
But it can not make them worse, just smiling;
And it seems to help your case,
Brightens up a gloomy place;
Then, it sort o' rests your face,

 Just smiling.

Author Unknown

The whole world is a marketplace for Love

The whole world is a marketplace for Love,
For nought that is, from Love remains remote.
The Eternal Wisdom made all things in Love.
On Love they all depend, to Love all turn.
The earth, the heavens, the sun, the moon, the stars
The centre of their orbit find in Love.
By Love are all bewildered, stupefied,
Intoxicated by the Wine of Love.

From each, Love demands a mystic silence.
What do all seek so earnestly? It is Love.
Love is the subject of their inmost thoughts,
In Love no longer "Thou" and "I" exist,
For self has passed away in the Beloved.
Now will I draw aside the veil from Love,
And in the temple of mine inmost soul
Behold the Friend,  Incomparable Love.
He who would know the secret of both worlds
Will find that the secret of them both is Love.

Fariud ud Din Attar
          

Hold on yet a while, brave heart

If the sun by the cloud is hidden a bit,
If the welkin shows but gloom,
Still hold on yet a while, brave heart,
The victory is sure to come.
No winter was but summer came behind,
Each hollow crests the wave,
They push each other in light and shade;
Be steady then and brave.
The duties of life are sore indeed,
And its pleasures fleeting, vain,
The goal so shadowy seems and dim,
Yet plod on through the dark, brave heart,
With all thy might and main.
Not a work will be lost, no struggle vain,
Though hopes be blighted, powers gone;
Of thy loins shall come the heirs to all,
Then hold on yet a while, brave soul,
No good is e'er undone.
Though the good and the wise in life are few,
Yet theirs are the reins to lead,
The masses know but late the worth;
Heed none and gently guide.
With thee are those who see afar,
With thee is the Lord of might,
All blessings pour on thee, great soul,
To thee may all come right!

Swami Vivekananda

Look to this day

Look to this day
For it is life, the very life of life.
In its brief course
Lie all the verities and realities of your existence.
The bliss of growth,
The glory of action,
The splendour of achievement
Are but experiences of time.

For yesterday is but a dream
And tomorrow is only a vision;
And today well-lived, makes
Yesterday a dream of happiness
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well therefore to this day;
Such is the salutation to dawn!

Kalidasa


Important Facts of Life

Health is the first of life 
Wealth is the next of life
Character's courage is the best of life
Respect is must in life
Turning is the test of life
God's blessing is the crest of life
Love is crucial for life
Happiness is the perfume of life
Truth is the search of life
Death is the rest of life

Author unknown