The tale of a saint who posthumously avenged the king when he disclosed the secret of his love for God
Hey Saqi!
Lovers always
Secrecy choose
Beloved alone
Their love knows
Love is a diamond
Not to be talked loose
Locked away
To keep its use
Lovers possess nothing
But love
Wine, Wealth and women
Are for them but love
A saint of His
Was once called
By the king
Who in his time ruled
Both knew
Each other well:
By ‘Hu’ did
Their hearts swell
One day for long
They conversed
Till when it’s time
To be dispersed
The King then proclaimed
A secret so dear
His love for Hu
For all to hear:
He stays awake
While the world asleep
He forever tries to make
Towards ‘Hu’ a further leap”
The Saint was embarrassed
His secret revealed
He vowed to avenge
Till his fate was sealed
Days, months, and years
Passed with the same will
Till death, he played a trick
His vengeance to fulfill
In his last will
He declared with zest
Only a slave of Hu
Could lay him to rest
Elders and mullahs
Searched high and low
Until the court
The news did blow
The king heard the will
And gave his consent
He too loved Hu
His secret well-kept
The saint settled scores
Before his final go
None could lead the prayer
But the king in love’s glow
Hey Tasbih!
From your presence
Like Satan, I was expelled
Appear in dreams
With His love and fear upheld
“My Merciful…”
How Merciful!
“My Merciful Him
Who loves me”
No more words to say
Just the sweetness to repeat
Till my death’s day
Your words, my heart will keep.
December 2006. Edit March 2023