Could Be Lifted
If you knew the end of your story,
nothing on any page -
not one of your dramas,
could bother you as much.
If you knew of the glorious end of your journey,
at least half of your attention could be lifted
from anything you now focus on that may cause you pain.
His hand is like that, when it is realized near,
it will always, always
turn your gaze
in the direction of more light.
I've always liked the New Living Translation version of Jeremiah 29:11, one of my favorite Bible quotes: "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good, to give you a future and a hope." Did you read this poem as Hafiz speaking of the end of your life? As in, now you're hunting for someone to love, for your career to begin, for this, for that, but if you knew the wonderful person God has destined to meet you, if you knew of the degrees you would go on to get, if you knew of the way your son would wear a Spiderman costume and how your husband would dance in the refrigerator light, you would be content waiting and be less worried? Or did you read it as the "ultimate" end/"ultimate" beginning - the idea that everyone in heaven will be pain-free, that your Earthly life will be of little significance? What is the glorious end of your journey? And moreover, do glorious journies really have ends? The more I blog, the more I realize each of Hafiz's poems is filled with such depth. What is the direction of light? The sun and beauty of nature? The energy of a good idea? The face of the one you love?
If you knew the end of your story,
nothing on any page -
not one of your dramas,
could bother you as much.
If you knew of the glorious end of your journey,
at least half of your attention could be lifted
from anything you now focus on that may cause you pain.
His hand is like that, when it is realized near,
it will always, always
turn your gaze
in the direction of more light.
I've always liked the New Living Translation version of Jeremiah 29:11, one of my favorite Bible quotes: "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good, to give you a future and a hope." Did you read this poem as Hafiz speaking of the end of your life? As in, now you're hunting for someone to love, for your career to begin, for this, for that, but if you knew the wonderful person God has destined to meet you, if you knew of the degrees you would go on to get, if you knew of the way your son would wear a Spiderman costume and how your husband would dance in the refrigerator light, you would be content waiting and be less worried? Or did you read it as the "ultimate" end/"ultimate" beginning - the idea that everyone in heaven will be pain-free, that your Earthly life will be of little significance? What is the glorious end of your journey? And moreover, do glorious journies really have ends? The more I blog, the more I realize each of Hafiz's poems is filled with such depth. What is the direction of light? The sun and beauty of nature? The energy of a good idea? The face of the one you love?
The Dash, Linda Ellis
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