Wine and Kissing

Hafiz

I said: “O Beloved, look at me. I am healthy and prosperous.
When will I get Your kiss?”
He said: “Would I lie to you? While you were talking,
I kissed you and at the same time took your purse of gold.”

I said: “Your price is high. Even if I owned all of Egypt
I couldn’t pay You for that kiss.”
He said: “Don’t worry, the bankers of Egypt won’t lose money
on this deal, and I won’t give you any more than you can take.”

I said: “How will I find, then, the way to Your mouth?”
He said: “I will give you a map that only the sensitive can read.”

I said: “And how do I avoid idiots and idols along the way?”
He said: “In the Street of Love there are those who tell stories, and
there are those who tell the truth.”

I said: “But I am happy here in the Winehouse. Why would I want
to go away?”
He said: “Then stay here if you are happy and truly feel this way.”

I said: “What do wine and all the preacher’s robes have to do with religion?”
He said: “This is like kindergarten to get into the Master’s school.”

I said: “And what are You doing for those who are old and infirm?”
He said: “With a sweet kiss I will make them feel young.”

I said: “And when will we see this kind Master standing at the door?”
He said: “Not until Jupiter collides with the moon, or until
You can drink a cask of wine.”

I said: “But Hafiz prays every morning for Your happiness and health!”
He said: “Don’t pray for me; I pump iron and laugh a lot, and have angels that pray for me all day.

Think of this – now what do you have to say?”