Rabia Poems

 

I have loved Thee with two loves –
a selfish love and a love that is worthy of Thee.
As for the love which is selfish,
Therein I occupy myself with Thee,
to the exclusion of all others.
But in the love which is worthy of Thee,
Thou dost raise the veil that I may see Thee.
Yet is the praise not mine in this or that,
But the praise is to Thee in both that and this.

– Rabia al Basri

Selected Poems of Rabia al Basri

• Dream Fable
• If I Adore You
• My Beloved
• My God and My Lord
• My greatest Need is You
• Reality
• Take away the words of the devil
• With My Beloved

Translations by D. Ladinsky

• Die before you die
• In My Soul
• The Holy Water

 

 

Photo Credit: Salil – Sri Chinmoy Centre Gallery.