Under the Hand of this Love

Peace, one and all…

How strange I feel under the hand of this love.
I can’t see my way, under the hand of this love.

Once I was the crown of the universe.
Now I’m dirt to walk on, under the hand of this love.

Like a lonely nightingale I call.
Blood streams from my eyes, under the hand of this love.

My face, like an autumn leaf, will glow,
darken and die, under the hand of this love.

On the Final Day, with my collar torn
let me weep, under the hand of this love.

What can I do when I’m so far from Union?
My back is bent, under the hand of this love.

Yunus, you pray for Taptuk so much.
Don’t ask, ‘What shall I do?’ under the hand of this love.
(Yunus Emre, trans. Kabir Helminski & Rafik Algan)

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman