Saints Bowing in the Mountains

Do you know how beautiful you are? 

I think not, my dear.

For as you talk of God,
I see great parades with wildly colorful bands 

Streaming from your mind and heart, 

Carrying wonderful and secret messages
To every corner of this world.

I see saints bowing in the mountains 

Hundreds of miles away
To the wonder of sounds
That break into light

From your most common words.

Speak to me of your mother, 

Your cousins and your friends.

Tell me of squirrels and birds you know. 

Awaken your legion of nightingales - 

Let them soar wild and free in the sky

And begin to sing to God. 

Let's all begin to sing to God!

Do you know how beautiful you are? 

I think not, my dear,

Yet Hafiz
Could set you upon a Stage 

And worship you forever!

--Hafiz of Shiraz (1310-1390), one of the greatest Persian lyric poets