Where Will I Find You
by Solomon ibn GabirolEnglish version by Peter Cole
Original Language Hebrew
Where, Lord, will I find you:
your place is high and obscured.
And where
won't I find you:
your glory fills the world.
You dwell deep within --
you've fixed the ends of creation.
You stand, a tower for the near,
refuge to those far off.
You've lain above the Ark, here,
yet live in the highest heavens.
Exalted among your hosts,
although beyond their hymns --
no heavenly sphere
could ever contain you,
let alone a chamber within.
In being home above them
on an exalted throne,
you are closer to them
than their breath and skin.
Their mouths bear witness for them
that you alone gave them form.
Your kingdom's burden in theirs;
who wouldn't fear you?
And who could fail
to search for you --
who sends down food when it is due?
I sought your nearness.
With all my heart I called you.
And in my going out to meet you,
I found you coming toward me,
as in the wonders of your might
and holy works I saw you.
Who would say he hasn't seen
your glory as the heavens'
hordes declare
their awe of you
without a sound being heard?
But could the Lord, in truth,
dwell in men on earth?
How would men you made
from the dust and clay
fathom your presence there,
enthroned upon their praise?
The creatures hovering over
the world praise your wonders --
your throne borne high
above their heads,
as you beat all forever.
 | -- from The Poetry of Kabbalah: Mystical Verse from the Jewish Tradition, Edited by Peter Cole |
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