Kabir
24
Let's leave for the country where the Guest lives!
There the water jar is filling with water
Even though there is no rope to lower it.
There the skies are always blue, and yet rain
Falls on the earth.
Do you have a body? Don't sit on the porch!
Go out and walk in the rain!
The full moon rides the sky all month there,and it would sound silly to
mention only one sun -
The light there comes from a number of them.
25
Are you looking for me? I am in the next seat!
My shoulder is against yours.
You will not find me in the stupas, nor in Indian shrine rooms, nor in the
synagogues, nor in cathedrals:
Not in masses, nor kirtans, nor in legs winding around neck, nor in eating
nothing but vegetables.
When you really look for me, you will see me instantly - you will find me
in the tiniest house of time.
Kabir says: "student, tell me, what is God? He is the breath inside the
breath."
26
It is time to put up a love-swing!
Tie the body and then tie the mind so that they swing between the arms of
the Secret One you love,
Bring the water that falls from the clouds to your eyes,
& cover yourself inside entirely with the shadow of night.
Bring your face up close to his ear,
& then talk only about what you want deeply to happen.
Kabir says: Listen to me, brother, bring the shape, face, & odor of the
Holy One inside you.
27
The darkness of night is coming along fast,
& the shadows of love close in the body & the mind.
Open the window to the West, & disappear
Into the air inside you.
Near your breastbone there is an open flower;
drink the honey that is all around that flower.
Waves are coming in;
There is so much magnificance near the ocean!
Listen: sound of big sea shells! Sounds of bells.
Kabir says: Friend, listen, this is what I have to say:
The Guest I love is inside me!
28
There is nothing but water in the holy pools.
I know, I have been swimming in them.
All the gods sculpted of wood or ivory can't say a word.
I know, I have been crying out to them.
The Sacred books of the East are nothing but words,
I looked through their covers one day sideways.
What Kabir talks of is only what he has lived through.
Kabir says: If you have not lived through something,
It is not true.
29
The Holy One disguised as an old person in a cheap hotel
Goes out to ask for car fare.
But I never seem to catch sight of him.
If I did, what would I ask for?
He has already experienced what is missing in my life.
Kabir says, I belong to this old person. Now
Let the events about to come, come!