THIRST
By Annemarie Schimmel


"Make thirsty me, O friend, give me no water!
Let me so love that sleep flees from my door!"
      Yes, sleep flees, if he sees the burning eyelids,
      He would be drowned if he would cross the sea
      of tears; he would be poisoned
      if he should dare to drink
      That potent wine which you
      Poured in the gobler of my eyes:
      Those eyes which once beheld your radians face
      And try to mirror it on every tear...
      ...Those eyes which are a veil.

Make me more thirsty, friend, give me no water-
My thirst is proof that you are thirsty, too...