Wednesday, February 27, 2013

A Man Was Crying

A Man Was Crying



One night a man was crying Allah! Allah! 
His lips grew sweet with praising,
 until a cynic said, “So! 
I have heard you calling out, but have you ever
 gotten any response?”

The man had no answer to that.
 He quit praying and fell into a confused sleep.

He dreamed he saw Khidr, the guide of souls,
 in a thick, green foliage.

“Why did you stop praising?” “Because 
I’ve never heard anything back.”

“This longing you express
 is the return message.”

The grief you cry out from
 draws you toward union.

Your pure sadness 
that wants help
 is the secret cup.

Listen to the moan of a dog for its master. 
That whining is the connection.

There are love dogs 
no one knows the names of.

Give your life
 to be one of them.



From The Book of Love
Translated by Coleman Barks