An eager stranger
Asked me yesterday:
“Your friend and mentor,
Do you meet every day?”

I did not wait
For a single moment.
I gave my reply
At the same instant:

“Why meet those who are never apart,
Forever dwelling in my heart?

Seeing dear ones every day
Breeds familiarity.
The wise ones said:
‘Tis poison for Affinity!

Others strive to keep in mind
Portraits on walls they bind

I rather seek
An excuse to forget.
Though I shiver of cold
Wrapped in the solitary jacket.

In every worldly crowd I go,
Their memories in me flow.

When alone:
Like sunburnt sand dunes,
With them:
Like evergreen springs.

Yes. Blessed are my eyes
To have met them once,
But my soul weeps
Parted from them since.”

Hey Saqi!
What is the remedy now
For this never-ending pain?
For how long shall I wait
For Affinity’s train?”

“Bead by bead, Ya Rabb,
Since when have I been joining?
But again and again,
Why is my Tasbih still breaking?”

“Ya Rabb, bead by bead,
I strive to keep count indeed,
Yet my Tasbih falls apart,
Breaking my heart”

November 1st, 2003. Edit Mar 2023