i am caught in magic fire
that smoulders,
fragrant sweet smoke
like an incense stick
a tiny, hot ember,
redolent of roses
love and reverence

at times it blazes
majestic
like a an awe-inspiring mountain range
with the power of a monarch
who appears to decide
which mortal lives
and which dies

i am humbled by it
and weakened
utterly unable to resist

at other times
it’s a red-hot knife
tormenting my heart
with a red-hot pain
i can barely endure
without crying out loud:

where was the warning,
where was the sign
that on the path you and i meet
this magic fire waits for me
while you walk away
untouched and free ?

***

18th June 2010. For more contemporary sufi poetry in english, please visit Sufi Poetry English.