Jaihoon’s poem explores love as a source of joy and ponders its place in the face of ultimate judgement.
I have heard,
From the learned,
For every joy,
Shall we account.
We would be asked:
Comforts we relaxed in.
Greater its prize,
Severe be its quiz.
Merchant be asked:
Goods he amassed.
Scholar to explain:
Use of wisdom gained.
King to give count:
Power he was bound by.
Warrior to give reason:
For his sword’s treason.
Gardener to narrate why:
Roses which turned dry.
O my heart-caged love!
I too about your love be grilled,
If to Him gratitude I spelled.
Your love, most precious,
No other dish, so delicious.
This life, too less,
My love, to you confess.
Since I drank
From your river,
Healed I am
Of my solitary fever.
O my heart-caged love!
Love too is a part of worship-
This love-note, holy, not gossip.
Aug 08 2011. Edit March 2024