Solitude

I went down to the sea, And said to the restless wave, ‘You are for ever searching what is your trouble?

Your bag contains a thousand glowing pearls– But do you, like me, have in your breast A pearl of a heart?’ It writhed in pain and drew away from the shore– It did not say a word.

I went up to the mountain and said, ‘How unfeeling you are! Have the sighs and screams of a soul in torment Ever reached your ears?

If within your rocks There is only one diamond formed from a drop of blood, Then come for a moment And talk to a wretched man like me. It withdrew into itself and held its breath– It did not say a word.

I travelled far, and asked the moon, ‘Your lot is to keep travelling, Is it also your lot to reach a destination?

Your face sends out rays That turn the world into a land of Jasmine. But does the radiance of the scar on your face Come from the glow of a heart or not? It cast a jealous glance at the star– It did not say a word.

I left the moon and the sun behind, And reached the presence of God. I said, ‘Not one atom in Your world Is intimate with me.

The world has no heart, But I, though a handful of dust, am all heart. It is a pleasant garden, but unworthy of my song!” A smile appeared on His lips He did not say a word.