Tonight, we gather in the dining hall,
one last meal before the journey;
let our hearts open with the rose garden
and listen to Love’s sacred call,
the time has come
to bid farewell to old “you.”
All quarrels and disputes must be put to rest
for the Sacred Month of learning has come;
Close the doors to envy, malice, and violence;
and come home to the spirit of transcendence.
We are overflowing with desire,
become empty, friend.
Let your stomach burn,
let your heart become a cauldron
yearning to be filled with heaven’s fire;
inside there is a flame – a mystery
that burns brighter than any star
in the universe
Tear through me now, Beloved;
bring me shipwreck
and drown old habits,
let my empty self plummet
into the heart of the ocean,
soak the map, slash the sails, crush the mast;
pierce through the wreck with Your Light
for only in Your sea can the seeker breathe.
If my soul could bleed
bloodstains would follow in my footsteps,
I die every day
to be closer to You – only You.
But I know the day will come
when you fill the void
and heal the wound.
Let us surrender to You
and be led into Beauty,
for union will come
just like sunset
when our fasting bodies
are filled again
with new fruits of wisdom.
Ramadan Kareem!
~ Jehanzeb
