A Crystal Rim: Beautiful Poetry

A CRYSTAL RIM

a poem by Hafiz

The Earth lifts its glass to the sun

And light - light is poured.

A bird comes and sits on a crystal rim

And from my forest cave I hear singing.

So I run to the edge of existence

And join my soul in love.

I lift my heart to god and grace is poured.

An emerald bird rises from inside me

And now sits upon the beloved's glass.

I have left that dark cave forever.

My body has blended with his.

I lay my wing as a bridge to you

So that you can join us singing.

(translated by Daniel Ladinsky)

Hafiz was a 14th century Persian poet who wrote poems of incomparable beauty and compassion. "The Gift," a volume of his work, is one of my most precious possessions. Translator and poet mesh for a mystical experience.