if you stay awake
for an entire night
watch out for a treasure
trying to arriveyou can keep warm
by the secret sun of the night
keeping your eyes open
for the softness of dawntry it for tonight
challenge your sleepy eyes
do not lay your head down
wait for heavenly almsnight is the bringer of gifts
Moses went on a ten-year journey
during a single night
invited by a tree
to watch the fire and lightMohammed too made his passage
during that holy night
when he heard the glorious voice
when he ascended to the skyday is to make a living
night is only for love
commoners sleep fast
lovers whisper to God all nightall night long
a voice calls upon you
to wake up
in the precious hoursif you miss your chance now
when your body is left behind
your soul will lament
death is a life of no return
–Rumi
Translation by Nader Khalili: “Rumi, Fountain of Fire” Cal-Earth Press, 1994
Photo: John Lemieux
