Deep shadows dance upon walls and arches;

The losers are frightened; the winners are losing;

They’re staking all money and cash they have;

Their faces wear a death-like look; their eyes, ships caught up in whirlpools.

.

Desire urges them on: Play on, gambler, play on; you’ve lost

What you had to lose; defeat isn’t a defeat; call it a custom in the city of winning;

Their breaths are held captive; fear keeps guard; the four walls close in.

.

Before you, other gamblers also have won and lost;

This is a business, winning and losing; what’s the worry; why fear?

Throw the dice; why do you hesitate? Why die while living?

In ruins and storms lie shadows and hopes.

.

Just one hand, one hand only, someone keeps urging:

Sell the clothes off your back, your turban; you have to win this hand;

You’ll keep your prestige with your rivals; wealth comes and goes;

You really haven’t lost; heart consoles heart.

.

We bit our lips, changed sides; sold everything and won the hand.

Then in greed we sat down again, eyes lit up, the heart waving in joy;

We were so lost that we forgot ourselves; we didn’t remember anything as we played;

When we got up, our pockets were empty; who is there to ask: How did it go?

.

Deep shadows, blind earthen lamps are awake and dance!

Circled by walls made of hands, bets, and gamblers,

Who knows who won? This blind hand and who lost?

Who knows why, night and day, we pursue each other?

.

From: Yāden̲ (Remembrances), 1963. pp. 63 – 65