Peace, one and all…

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The Maker of All Cloth

If this world is a marketplace,
then take care
when you enter
the spirit’s bazaar,

for though you will find
wares both colourful and exotic,
bright colour and foreign fragrance
are not guarantees of authenticity.

My friend, you must fashion
the cloth you buy there
into Love-garments
of your own design.

Many will offer to help you
and claim to work for naught,
but be on your guard, O beloved soul,
lest their cloth becomes a straightjacket to trap you.

But be not downcast,
for tailors of goodness and skill,
of honest blood and bone,
exist in all places.

And, beyond them
stands the Maker of All Cloth,
who will fashion all your longings
into never-ending brocades of Love.

(Abdur Rahman, May 10th 2007)

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman