The Entangled Bank              David LaMotte

Deepening The Wonder

Hafiz

(Shams-ud-din Muhammad, 1320-1389)

translated by Daniel Ladinsky

Death is a favor to us,

But our scales have lost their balance.

The impermanence of the body

Should give us great clarity,

Deepening the wonder in our senses and eyes

Of this mysterious existence we share
And are surely just traveling

through.

If I were in the Tavern tonight,

Hafiz would call for drinks

And as the Master poured, I would be reminded

That all I know of life and myself is that

We are just a midair flight of golden wine

Between His Pitcher and His Cup.

If I were in the Tavern tonight,

I would buy freely for everyone in this world

Because our marriage with the Cruel Beauty

Of time and space cannot endure very long.

Death is a favor to us,

But our minds have lost their balance.

The miraculous existence and impermanence of

Form

Always makes the illumined ones

Laugh and sing.