I Wish I Could Speak Like Music - Poetry by Hafiz

I Wish I Could Speak Like Music

I wish I could speak like music.



I wish I could put the swaying splendor

Of the fields into words



So that you could hold Truth

Against your body

And dance.



I am trying the best I can

With this crude brush, the tongue,

To cover you with light.


I wish I could speak like divine music.



I want to give you the sublime rhythms

Of this earth and the sky's limbs




As they joyously spin and surrender,

Surrender

Against God's luminous breath.




Hafiz wants you to hold me

Against your precious

Body




And dance,


Dance.




From "The Gift" by Hafiz, translated by Daniel Ladinsky