In truth, I was a bit stuck on this poem and I mulled it over for days without anything within it making gain in me to write about. Finally I was prompted to look into the Beatles song Within You, Without You written by George Harrison. This is the first time I've started a blog post with a song. In general, the song comes to me at the end after I have written my peace regarding the poem. Well! Something new!
Music: Wikipedia says of the song, "...Harrison's immediate inspiration for the song came from a conversation they had shared over dinner about the metaphysical space that prevents individuals from recognizing the natural forces uniting the world. Following this discussion, Harrison worked out the song's melody on a harmonium and came up with the opening line: 'We were talking about the space between us all'..."
When you've seen beyond yourself
Then you may find peace of mind is waiting there
And the time will come when you see we're all one
And life flows on within you and without you
Video: Bobby Gass
In this poem, Hafiz is in a cyclone of freedom avoiding many of the things that plague us all at one time or another. If we are not being told what to do or how to think by dogma, advertising and politics then we are letting our own minds loose to ramrod our lives with shame and criticism. Hafiz tells us here that he has surrendered all reason and understanding to his acceptance of the divine flow of life and death. His reward is his smile and it never forsakes him.
Thank you for listening.
https://pixabay.com/music/mystery-islamic-way-109185/
Artwork: George Harrison Extra Texture by luceene-k @ Deviant Art
The original post in this series of poems by Hafiz (including an addendum regarding the authenticity of these poems) can be found here. Also, my thoughts on this series a year into blogcasting these poems, HERE.
The Gift: Poems by Hafiz and translated by Daniel Ladinsky can be purchased here.