Dwellers in darkness! Do not reveal the secret of darkness

Lest crystal dream be shattered; do speak slowly

Lest this life becomes poison; mix sleep in this wine flask

And create pearls of dreams.

Let the ship of the mind float in the twisting-turning waves of dance;

Let the jewel of knowledge dissolve into the bloody hollowness of the goblet;

Let the treasury of honor be divided; let the bosom of feelings be opened.

Why make blood and sweat one from such toil?

.

You should not make naked pictures of the lewdness of nude people;

Put powder on ugly things; apply colour.

Why show what we’ve been hiding?

Young man, come to your senses.

.

God only knows what your aim is; speak clearly; give up vagueness;

The world’s work doesn’t stop; fill your cup; don’t worry about the end.

Forsake ugly inspiration which might be the smell of cancerous sores.

If you get wages, then stop working.

.

Guardians of law, sit on the ground guarding the highest heaven;

Why get angry in vain? Man is mute; the king is deaf.

Who will cross the broad, deep ocean for you?

He who hesitates is lost.

.

Wise men declared that it is hard to fight fate,

To pierce swords in the mountain’s bosom,

That ripe berries have to fall from the branch

And rot, putrefy in filth. 

.

Look, that storm arises; run, go hide in caves;

The chamber shook; the lean-to’s panted: Come back, come!

Wilful crying for a destination is trivial; leave the road; save yourself.

Give me your hand.

.

Decide on something somehow; heed what we say;

Why are you blinking your eyes reddened in anger? Why trembling?

Steel hardness in your hands; sharp-edged lightning in your breath?

There’s the path we’ve given you. Now go!

.

 1944

From: Jalāl o jamāl (Splendor and Beauty). pp. 302-304