Poetry from the Divan-e Jami

Of You and Me

after it had been nourished by the waters of ancient rains

the reed raised its head

it beheld the mud out of which it had appeared

and knew then that it was tied by many knots to where it had

taken birth

o Friend

the reed moaned

lend me a hand

so I may move away from this mud

time passed and when it was right the Flute Player appeared

He removed the many layers of cane and undid the reed’s

many knots

the reed was now smooth outside and empty inside

He then put the reed to his lips and finding it empty of itself

breathed in the selfless reed all his secrets in the form of

melodies