GHAZAL 22 BY ATTAR

Every heart that annihilates its self
             becomes worthy of the King’s confidence.

The flower that doesn’t assume the heart’s hue
             will be afflicted by its own muddy essence.

If the heart and the clay are attached today
             won’t they separate from each other tomorrow?

Your body’s clay will all turn to atoms;
            each atom will turn into a spirit bird.

If the heart remains in the clay of the self
           how will it abandon the grave’s confinement?

The heart is a mirror with a tarnished back.
           If cleaned it will reveal its countenance.

Clay becomes heart just as back turns to face;
           when darkness is gone all shall illuminate.

Every time that back and front integrate
          the mirror immerses in magnificence.

It’s not possible for any creature
          to turn God-like or become the Creator.

But a truthful thing could be said
          if the essence and quality of the self fade.

Every time one becomes annihilated from these two
          he will subsist in the essence of Oneness.

The Presence in speaking of this state says:
          A person does not become Us, but becomes of Us.

When will a thing turn into the Existent?
         When will the temporal become Eternal?

If you are searching for this unknown life
         make yourself acquainted with these tasks.

Sit in the shadow of a master, for the blind are
         better off with walking sticks.

Become a straw and upset the mountain
         as the master changes you like amber.

If you do not do as Attār has told you
         every sorrow you suffer will turn to dust.

GHAZAL 22 BY ATTAR