I take the Merciful One's shape
Author: Imadeddin Nesimi 1369c-1418
I take the Merciful One's shape, the Merciful I am.
The Spirit Absolute, the word of God and the Koran.
I was the one who told the secret of the burning hills
I was the bright fire's Abraham. I'm Moses and Imran.
I'm Jesus, Alexander and the water that gives life.
It's immortality I have, the source of life I am.
I am the sea, its coast I am. I am the shell and the pearl.
A pearl not only of the sea — the ocean's pearl I am.
I'm thought and beauty. I am attributes. I am desire.
I am the portrait, and the lover charmed by it I am.
I am the balm and doctor, the recovery and pain.
The sufferer the relief of suffering I am.
I am the Holy Book, its letters, he to whom God spoke.
The word, the one who spoke it and the argument I am.
The bearer of the cup I am, the wineseller, the drunk.
The spring of Heaven, the winepourer, the wine and cup I am.
I am much-repeated prayer. I am hypocrisy.
I am the one-God faith and of that the flame I am.
I am the Joy-provider, the All-merciful, the Wise.
Beatitude, Eternity and Paradise I am.
Know God, acknowledge him, Nesimi! You are mankind's son
And I am he who did receive from God the name of man.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Posted: May 2011
About this poem:
more beautiful words from Nesimi, to follow from yesterday.
Comments (9)
It is so kind of you to share with us P. Tempest's translation of this Imadeddin Nasimi poem that shares with us the "I am" of humanity and life and the sacred. I love the line I take the Merciful One's shape, the Merciful I am.