What a Human Is, Now I Know

[myislamislove]

 What a Human Is, Now I Know

 

by Muhittin Abdal

 

English version by Jennifer Ferraro & Latif Bolat

Original Language Turkish

 

They're always talking about human, human --

     What a human being is, now I know.

They are always discussing heart, the heart --

     What the heart is, now I know.

 

Within the heart of the believer it was found --

     it wasn't found anywhere outside.

We found it in our own vast selves.

     What faith is, now I know.

 

This is how they pick the wheat from the chaff,

     and where your words and deeds must speak for you.

This is where the wise ones guide the Path --

     What the essence of this Sufi way is, now I know.

 

What the pious fearful carry like baggage,

     why they shoot their arrows at the faithful,

What they hide and trumped in nice language --

     What doubt is, now I know.

 

Given all these attributes, I became a person.

     Through God's vastness I was forgiven everything.

I found absolute oneness with Reality.

     What the guest is, now I know.

 

I said to my inner self Be humble,

     and the Glorious One showered me in blessings;

There was a sign that seared me in the heart.

     What the proof is, now I know.

 

Muhittin proclaims the Truth is a spectator.

     God is everywhere if you are willing to see.

What is the hidden, what is the apparent --

     What a human being is, now I know.

 

 

-- from Quarreling with God: Mystic Rebel Poems of the Dervishes of Turkey, Translated by Jennifer Ferraro / Translated by Latif Bolat