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Lines addressed to a Sufi

Neither have I nor you the wish To go to Layla’s house. Neither have I nor you the heart To bear the desert heat.

I am a young wine server and You keeper of an old wine shop. The company is thirsty, yet Wine neither you have, nor have I.

We have pledged our hearts and our faith To ‘Ajam’s lovely ones. The flame of love for Sulayma. Burns neither you nor me.

There was an empty shell That we picked up on the seashore. The precious pearl Have neither you nor I.

Do not talk any more about The Joseph we have lost. The warmth of a Zulaikha’s heart Have neither you nor I.

It is best that we make do with a lamp That has our garment’s skirt for shade. The power to face Sinai’s lamp Have neither you nor I.