Author Archives: bill gannett

Rumi quatrain, #170 Foruzanfar

Posted on May 17, 2014 by bill gannett

Lover shouts out for the candle of joy; Candle comes but moth is silent- alas. Behold a light better than day or night O soul be quick, heart-fire longs for you!

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Rose twines the derelict

Posted on May 12, 2014 by bill gannett

Rose twines the derelict, graces old and cracked brick: love adorns the broken, but sighs for the perfect.

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Kabir, #78 from The Bijak of Kabir, translated by Linda Hess/ Shukdev Singh

Posted on May 4, 2014 by bill gannett

Now I’ve understood Hari’s magic play. Beating his drum he rolls out the show then gathers it in again. The great Hari dupes gods, men and sages. When he brings out the sorceress Maya she baffles everyone in the house, … Continue reading →

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Rumi quatrain, #1039 Foruzanfar

Posted on May 2, 2014 by bill gannett

دل یاد تو ٱرد برود هوش ز هوش Heart recalls you and all sense leaves the mind: Without your sweet lips, how can I drink wine? As eye longs to see the beauty of your form, Ear longs to hear … Continue reading →

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Ghazal #42 from Ghazals For The Friend

Posted on April 24, 2014 by bill gannett

Step after step we track you searching for some sign; The salt of our tears burns our throat as your sweet wine. We bear your living presence in our longing heart- But your curls and dancing eyes, we can’t live … Continue reading →

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Die, my love, to the dawn’s light

Posted on April 21, 2014 by bill gannett

Die, my love, to the dawn’s light; Die, my friend, to all my strength. Die, pretender, to the bright Mercy of your longed for death!

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The Machine Age grinds and lurches to its beautiful end

Posted on April 18, 2014 by bill gannett

The Machine Age grinds and lurches to its beautiful end, As the ugly spirit of Iron breaks and rusts into oblivion. Zarathustra was the first Prophet of this Kali Yug; He brought Fire to forge Spirit, not smelt ore into … Continue reading →

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Ghazal #396 Divan-e-Hafez, Khanlari

Posted on April 15, 2014 by bill gannett

On the ranks of the Rend cast your glance- better than this! Beat a path to the winehouse’ door- better than this! In all truth, I swear that the grace your lip commands Is excellent, but a bit more would be- … Continue reading →

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Ghazal #141 Divan-e-Hafez, Khanlari

Posted on April 12, 2014 by bill gannett

What is this drunkenness that the way has brought us- Who’s the saqi, and from where did the wine come to us? What mode does he strike, this minstrel well versed in song Who in mid-ghazal talks about the friend’s … Continue reading →

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Ghazal #381 Divan-e-Hafez, Khanlari

Posted on April 3, 2014 by bill gannett

Like the rose each moment in hope of your fragrance, From head to foot I take off the body’s garments. The rose saw your body. One would think like a drunk In a garden, it would shed its many adornments. … Continue reading →

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