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| View All Poems by Mahmud Shabistari | Next Poem >>

One Light

by Mahmud Shabistari
(1250? - 1340) Timeline

English version by
Andrew Harvey

Original Language
Persian/Farsi

Muslim / Sufi
13th Century

What are "I" and "You"?
Just lattices
In the niches of a lamp
Through which the One Light radiates.

"I" and "You" are the veil
Between heaven and earth;
Lift this veil and you will see
How all sects and religions are one.

Lift this veil and you will ask --
When "I" and "You" do not exist
What is mosque?
What is synagogue?
What is fire temple?

 

 

-- from Perfume of the Desert: Inspirations from the Sufi Wisdom, by Andrew Harvey / Eryk Hanut

Amazon.com

 

Themes

  Fire
  Light
 
 
 


Recommended Books


Beyond Faith and Infidelity: The Sufi Poetry and Teachings of Mahmud Shabistari, Edited by Leonard Lewisohn
Perfume of the Desert: Inspirations from the Sufi Wisdom, by Andrew Harvey / Eryk Hanut
The Secret Rose Garden: Mahmud Shabistari, Translated by Florence Lederer / Edited by David Fideler

 

| View More Poems by Mahmud Shabistari | Next Poem >>

 

 


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Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2009 by Ivan M. Granger.
All other material is copyrighted by the respective authors, translators and/or publishers.