I SWEAR MY DEAR SON
no one in the entire world
is as precious as you are
look at that mirror
take a good look at yourself
who else is there above and beyond you
now give yourself a kiss
and with sweet whispers
fill your ears to the brim
watch for all that beauty
reflecting from you
and sing a love song to your existence
you can never overdo
praising your own soul
you can never over-pamper your heart
you are both
the father and the son
the sugar and the sugar cane
who else but you
please tell me who else
can ever take your place
now give yourself a smile
what is the worth of a diamond
if it doesn't smile
how can i ever put a price
on the diamond that you are
you are the entire treasure of the house
you and your shadow
are forever present in this world
you're that glorious bird of paradise
"RUMI, Fountain of Fire", ghazal number 2148,
translated 19 January 1991 by Nader Khalili,
Cal-Earth Press, 1994
