We Have Not Come to Take Prisoners

I read this poem by Hafiz this morning and wanted to share it with you. I would like to paint this on my office wall! It goes perfectly with one of my favorite photos ever, by Irina Souiki.

We have not come here to take prisoners,
But to surrender ever more deeply
To freedom and joy.

We have not come into this exquisite world
To hold ourselves hostage from love.

Run my dear,
From anything
That may not strengthen
Your precious budding wings.

Run like hell my dear,
From anyone likely
To put a sharp knife
Into the sacred, tender vision
Of your beautiful heart.

We have a duty to befriend
Those aspects of obedience
That stand outside of our house
And shout to our reason
"O please, O please,
Come out and play."

For we have not come here to take prisoners
Or to confine our wondrous spirits,

But to experience ever and ever more deeply
Our divine courage, freedom and
Light.

~Hafiz

Comments

[Christine]

I think this is my favorite Hafiz poem -- and that's saying a lot. I love Rumi, but Hafiz has such a great sense of humor and a playfulness, and he can be more immediately, more viscerally accessible. Thanks for putting this up on a day I am taking care of a very sick and elderly cat who seems to be making his way (slowly and peacefully) to his "sparkle" suit, as we like to call it. He (the cat) is teaching me so much about courage, freedom, and light.

[patti digh]

I so love the poem, so love the photo, and so, so love the comment by Christine about "sparkle suits." Fantastic all the way around...

[kelley]

beautiful poem, carla. i have always wanted to paint words on a wall...had an idea recently about etching some on the glass portion of one of our doors. depending on the door i choose, i may have to wait until summer. please post pics if you do it, ok?
ox kelley

[leah]

oh, i love that. thanks so much for sharing it. i just got "the gift" as a gift and i'm enjoying to reading more of his work. it would be awesome to have that painted on your wall!!

[Amanda]

Oh wow that is just so powerful!

[CirceNona]

That is just wonderful, I'm going to have to get out and expose myself to some Hafiz. How have I missed something so profound?

I agree with everyone else about painting things that mean so much to us on our walls. I had the same thought Sunday when I was writing about the concept of Kairos, and thought maybe if I painted it over a doorway, or someplace I would see it on a regular basis I'd be constantly reminded to live life at Kairos' tempo.

[chocolate covered musings]

that really is a beautiful poem.
thanks for sharing

[Wendi]

Just beautiful. Thanks - just what I needed today! :)

[Susan]

What a wonderful poem Carla. My husband who is Persian, just came back from the resting place of Hafiz in Shiraz, Iran. It is a beautiful place, if you would like me to send you a picture I would be happy to email it to you. Just send me an email address.
The poem was very fitting for me today as I was just laid off from my job yesterday and I was going to sit at home and process...well I guess Hafiz has another idea.."Come out and play" Just what my spirit wanted to hear.
Thank you!!
Susan

[Stacibo]

Thank you, thank you for both the photo and poem. Go beautiful sumptuous dancing women! I love it!

[Monique]

Gorgeous...gorgeous...gorgeous
thank you for sharing this. I absolutely needed it today!

[Cheryl Finley]

Oh Carla...thank you so much for sharing this. It is food for my soul...and this phrase: "We have not come into this exquisite world
To hold ourselves hostage from love." stopped me in my tracks...
Thank you...please know I do appreciate all that you share here.
Godspeed...and happy 2008!

[Jane]

God, I love this poem. Thanks for those lovely words this morning!

[brandi]

oh my lord, I Just want to drink this post up. love this poem, this picture, this you!!!