Poem by Hafiz

[Guest guest]

Om Namah Shivaya,

After watching Amma in San Rafael this past week, I was reminded of this poem.

It's by Hafiz and translated by Daniel Ladinsky.

 

 

STOP CALLING ME A PREGNANT WOMAN

 

My Master once entered a phase

That whenever I would see him

He would say,

 

"Hafiz,

How did you ever become a pregnant woman?"

 

And I would reply,

 

"Dear Attar,

You must be speaking the truth,

But of what you say is a mystery to me."

 

Many months passed by in his blessed company.

But one day I lost my patience

Upon hearing that odd refrain

And blurted out,

 

"Stop calling me a pregnant woman!"

 

And Attar replied,

"Someday, my sweet Hafiz,

All the nonsense in your brain will dry up

Like a stagnant pool of water

Beneath the sun,

 

Though if you want to know the Truth

I can so clearly see that God has made love with you

And the whole universe is germinating

Inside your belly

 

And wonderful words,

Such enlightening words

Will take birth from you

 

And be cradled against thousands

Of hearts."