Rabia Poems

Sea of Clouds

 

I have loved Thee with two loves –
a selfish love and a love that is worthy of Thee.
As for the love which is selfish,
Therein I occupy myself with Thee,
to the exclusion of all others.
But in the love which is worthy of Thee,
Thou dost raise the veil that I may see Thee.
Yet is the praise not mine in this or that,
But the praise is to Thee in both that and this.

Rabia al Basri

Selected Poems of Rabia al Basri

Translations by D. Ladinsky

 

 

Photo Credit: Salil – Sri Chinmoy Centre Gallery.