[Hafiz] Narrow The Difference

[Guest guest]

- Joseph Riley

Hafiz

 

 

 

Narrow The DifferenceWhen I play my lute,The invisible ones call a

conference,And the angels travel far knowingA rare entertainment will

soon take place.When I play my drum, my notes become so realThe winged

ones throw saddles upon them;An outrageous holy rodeo begins.No one

has ever sat with HafizAnd not left for the better.No one can read my

poems out loudIn a tender loving voiceAnd not narrow the

difference,Not narrow the gap,Between you and God.I have many younger

friends of God in this world.Find one and offer service.For their

glance is generous and cannot helpBut forever give.When Hafiz plays

his lute,My notes ascend into the air and formInfinite blue

crystalsThat will move on the wind's breath for hundreds of yearsAs

my sacred debris, as the divine dustRising as a gift from mySinging

bones.

 

 

("The Subject Tonight Is Love" -- versions of Hafiz by Daniel

Ladinsky;original presentation by David Williamson)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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(For friends at ....)

 

Narrow The Difference

 

When I play my lute,

The invisible ones call a conference,

 

And the angels travel far knowing

A rare entertainment will soon take place.

 

When I play my drum, my notes become so real

The winged ones throw saddles upon them;

An outrageous holy rodeo begins.

 

No one has ever sat with Hafiz

And not left for the better.

 

No one can read my poems out loud

In a tender loving voice

And not narrow the difference,

Not narrow the gap,

Between you and God.

 

I have many younger friends of God in this world.

Find one and offer service.

For their glance is generous and cannot help

But forever give.

 

When Hafiz plays his lute,

My notes ascend into the air and form

Infinite blue crystals

 

That will move on the wind's breath for hundreds of years

As my sacred debris, as the divine dust

Rising as a gift from my

Singing bones.

 

("The Subject Tonight Is Love" -- versions of Hafiz by Daniel Ladinsky;

orginal presentation by David Williamson)