KABIR

Poem 6

TELL me, O Swan, your ancient tale.

From what land do you come, O Swan?

To what shore will you fly?

Where would you take your rest, O Swan,

and what do you seek?

Even this morning, O Swan, awake, arise, follow me!

There is a land where no doubt nor sorrow have rule:

where the terror of Death is no more.

There the woods of spring are a-bloom,

and the fragrant scent "He is I" is borne on the wind:

There the bee of the heart is deeply immersed,

and desires no other joy.


Brother, I’ve seen some

Brother, I’ve seen some

Astonishing sights:

A lion keeping watch

Over pasturing cows;

A mother delivered

After her son was;

A guru prostrated

Before his disciple;

Fish spawning

On treetops;

A cat carrying away

A dog;

A gunny-sack

Driving a bullock-cart;

A buffalo going out to graze,

Sitting on a horse;

A tree with its branches in the earth,

Its roots in the sky;

A tree with flowering roots.

Hang Up The Swing Of Love Today!

Hang the body and the mind between the arms of the beloved,

in the ecstasy of love's joy:

Bring the tearful streams of the rainy clouds to your eyes,

and cover your heart with the shadow of darkness:

Bring your face nearer to his ear,

and speak of the deepest longings of your heart.

Kabir says: 'Listen to me brother!

bring the vision of the Beloved in your heart.'

My Body Is Flooded

My body is flooded

With the flame of Love.

My soul lives in

A furnace of bliss.

Love's fragrance

Fills my mouth,

And fans through all things

With each outbreath.


When the Day came

When the Day came -

The Day I had lived and died for -

The Day that is not in any calendar -

Clouds heavy with love

Showered me with wild abundance.

Inside me, my soul was drenched.

Around me, even the desert grew green.