Bamboo

Building castles in the clouds, with feet firmly on the ground.

One cannot help but feel that the seeds of hope were planted within us even before conception. After all, our entry into this world is a by product of hope. Man and woman hoped, perhaps not always specifically for a child, but hoped nevertheless for something and hence brought forth life. Yet as life wears on, hope seems to have becomes more of a bane than a boon. With hope came its corollary, desire. And perhaps the bane of hope lies not so much in hope itself but the inability to distinguish between hope and desire. In true spirit of the ghazal, I invoke myself in homage to Hafez.

She who finds silence does not wandering desire;
so why desert journeys do you desire?

Dear one, midst the yearning you thrust out to God,
stop for a moment, ask what you desire.

O blessing-giver, rising forged from grief's flame,
ask yourself, what does this pauper desire?

We are masters of yearning, not of insight;
when giving arrives you shall not desire.

If you want to possess life, don't moralize,
just plunder on 'til you do not desire.

The friend's pure heart tells the same tale as Jam's Cup,
reflecting those needs you will not desire.

Gone are the days I sought help from a sailor;
gaining the pearl, the sea you'll not desire.

O seeker, leave me, there's no more to say;
friends abound and foes we never desire.

O seeker, leave me, there's no more to say;
friends abound and foes we never desire.

Silence Hafez, art and knowledge will suffice;
to dispute our souls is not our desire.