Imadeddin Nasimi: Both worlds within my compass come
Photo: Man praying in Algeria; 1800s.
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Both worlds within my compass come, but this world cannot compass me.
An omnipresent pearl I am and both worlds cannot compass me.
Because in me both earth and heaven and Creation's “BE!” were found,
Be silent! For there is no commentary can encompass me.
Through doubt and surmise no one came to be a friend of God and Truth.
The man who honours God knows doubt and surmise cannot compass me.
Pay due regard to form, acknowledge content in the form, because
Body and soul I am, but soul and body cannot compass me.
I am both shell and pearl, the Doomsday scales, the bridge to Paradise.
With such a wealth of wares, this worldly counter cannot compass me.
I am “the hidden treasure” that is God. I am open eyes.
I am the jewel of the mine. No sea or mine can compass me.
Although I am the boundless sea, my name is Adam, I am man.
I am Mount Sinai and both worlds. This dwelling cannot compass me.
I am both soul and word as well. I am both world and epoch, too.
Mark this particular: this world and epoch cannot compass me.
I am the stars, the sky the angel, revelation come from God.
So hold your tongue and silent be! There is no tongue can compass me.
I am the atom, sun, four elements, five saints, dimensions six.
Go seek my attributes! But explanations cannot compass me.
I am the core and attribute, the flower, sugar and sweetmeat.
I am Assignment Night, the Eve. No tight-shut lips can compass me.
I am the burning bush. I am the rock that rose into the sky.
Observe this tongue of flame. There is no tongue of flame can compass me.
(Imadeddin Nasimi)
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Source and Recommended Reading:
'The Drunken Universe: An Anthology of Persian Sufi Poetry'
By Peter Lamborn Wilson (Translator), Nasrollah Pourjavady (Translator)
Purchase Book:
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
Description:
Lovers of Rumi and Hafez will find this volume an excellent means to deepening their understanding of Sufism and Sufi poetry. Stages of spiritual unfoldment are viewed through the works of 33 poets.
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