To Build A Swing

[Guest guest]

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To Build A Swing

 

 

You carry

All the ingredients

To turn your life into a nightmare-

Don't mix them!

 

You have all the genius

To build a swing in your backyard

For God.

 

That sounds

Like a hell of a lot more fun.

Let's start laughing, drawing blueprints,

Gathering our talented friends.

 

I will help you

With my divine lyre and drum.

 

Hafiz

Will sing a thousand words

You can take into your hands,

Like golden saws,

Sliver hammers,

 

Polished teakwood,

Strong silk rope.

 

You carry all the ingredients

To turn your existence into joy,

Mix them, mix

Them!

 

 

- Hafiz

 

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" The Gift "

Translations by Daniel Ladinsky

Penguin/Arkana, 1999