Ghazal of Zinda-Rud

You have not reached Man, so why do you seek God? You have fled from your self; why do you seek a friend?

Hang again on the rose-twig and suck in the sap and the dew; faded blossom, what are you seeking from the zephyr?

What they call musk is two drops of the heart’s blood; gazelle of the Sanctuary, what are you seeking in Cathay?

Poverty’s assay is by sovereignty and world-dominion; seek Jamshid’s throne-why do you seek a reed-mat?

Men track it out from the garden of tulips; why do you seek from me the song drenched with blood?

The vision augments through the company of the enlightened of heart; why do you seek collyrium from the sorrow of the short-sighted?

We are calenders, and our miracle is world-vision; seek vision from us-why seek the philosopher’s stone?