SEEING BEAUTY - Photography as visual poetry, part 3

A Happy and Healthy New Year and may 2012 bring many positive changes!

Greetings, Susanne

Another excerpt and favorite poem from my book "Seeing Beauty - Photography as visual poetry"

(available at www.blurb.com or contact me directly)

WE HAVE NOT COME TO TAKE PRISONERS 

We have not come to take prisoners, 

But to surrender ever more deeply 

To freedom and joy. 

We have not come into this exquisite world 

To hold ourselves hostage from love. 

Run my dear, 

From anything 

That may not strengthen 

Your precious budding wings. 

Run like hell my dear, 

From anyone likely 

To put a sharp knife 

Into the sacred, tender vision 

Of your beautiful heart. 

We have a duty to befriend 

Those aspects of obedience 

That stand outside of our house 

And shout to our reason 

"O please, O please, 

Come out and play." 

For we have not come here to take prisoners 

Or to confine our wondrous spirits, 

But to experience ever and ever more deeply 

Our divine courage, freedom, and 

Light! 

(Hafiz) 

'The Gift' Poems by Hafiz - translations by Daniel Ladinsky