I took a photo of my birthday altar for Sacred Life Sunday, then happened to stumble across this poem by Hafiz. It says it all -- and then some!
There are so many gifts
Still unopened from your birthday,
There are so many hand-crafted presents
That have been sent to you by God.
The Beloved does not mind repeating,
"Everything I have is also yours."
Please forgive Hafiz and the Friend
If we break into a sweet laughter
When your heart complains of being thirsty
When ages ago
Every cell in your soul
Capsized forever
Into this infinite golden sea.
Indeed,
A lover's pain is like holding one's breath
Too long
In the middle of a vital performance,
In the middle of one of Creation's favorite
Songs.
Indeed, a lover's pain is this sleeping,
This sleeping,
When God just rolled over and gave you
Such a big good-morning kiss!
There are so many gifts, my dear,
Still unopened from your birthday.
O, there are so many hand-crafted presents
That have been sent to your life
From God.
~Hafiz
Visit other sacred lives here.
Oh that is lovely! what a nice poem to read to start out my day. I will take it with me and reflect on it as the day unfolds.
Posted by: Dawn | Monday, October 15, 2007 at 05:02 AM
Beautiful.
Posted by: Angela | Monday, October 15, 2007 at 05:50 AM
You can't deny the truth in Hafiz' poetry. It's running over juicy with Life.
Posted by: Kikipotamus | Monday, October 15, 2007 at 09:00 AM
I love this. What a wonderful post! Happy Birthday to a beautiful soul!!
Posted by: Jane | Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 06:37 AM
Oh how lovely are the words!
I'm so glad to have found Sacred Life Sunday!
Posted by: Mariposa | Sunday, October 12, 2008 at 05:31 PM