Two Poems*

The Wind, One Brilliant Day – Antonio Machado

The wind, one brilliant day, called
to my soul with an odour of jasmine.

"In return for the odour of my jasmine,
I'd like all the odour of your roses."

"I have no roses; all the flowers
in my garden are dead."

"Well then, I'll take the withered petals
and the yellow leaves and the waters of the fountain."

The wind left. And I wept. And I said
"What have you done with the garden that was entrusted to you ?"









The Clay Jug - Kabir

“Inside this clay jug there are canyons and pine mountains,
And the maker of canyons and mountains!

All seven oceans are inside, and hundreds of millions of stars.
The acid that tests gold is there, and the one who judges jewels.

And the music from the strings no one touches, and the source of all water.
If you want the truth, I will tell you the truth:

Friend, listen: The God whom I love is inside.”

*Thanks to Jackie Leven