Al Olmo Viejo (poetry II)

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Al olmo viejo, hendido por el rayo

y en su mitad podrido,

con las lluvias de abril y el sol de mayo

algunas hojas verdes le han salido.

¡El olmo centenario en la colina

que lame el Duero! Un musgo amarillento

le mancha la corteza blanquecina

al tronco carcomido y polvoriento.

No será, cual los álamos cantores

que guardan el camino y la ribera,

habitado de pardos ruiseñores.

Ejército de hormigas en hilera

va trepando por él, y en sus entrañas

urden sus telas grises las arañas.

Antes que te derribe, olmo del Duero,

con su hacha el leñador, y el carpintero

te convierta en melena de campana,

lanza de carro o yugo de carreta;

antes que rojo en el hogar, mañana,

ardas en alguna mísera caseta,

al borde de un camino;

antes que te descuaje un torbellino

y tronche el soplo de las sierras blancas;

antes que el río hasta la mar te empuje

por valles y barrancas,

olmo, quiero anotar en mi cartera

la gracia de tu rama verdecida.

Mi corazón espera

también, hacia la luz y hacia la vida,

otro milagro de la primavera.

Antoni Machado.

Saint John of the Cross The Light of God (poetry (III)

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The essence of the spiritual path is the Light of God,
blazing and shining across the heavens

Its flame begins within the heart of man,

after much suffering and pain

When the joys of spirit move man from within

And his heart is cleansed by love of the divine

Then does this flame begin to grow,

shining out across the world

Pure love, divine ecstasy, which blazes the spirit into life

Causing the soul to be a pure channel for God's holy radiance

Turning the self into a shining cobweb, sparkling with dew

O blazing light, whose rainbows lighten up the darkness with God
O holy light, who in mercy doth descend to the heart of man

Come down! Come down! The struggles and cries of mankind plead for you

That you may bring the brilliance, which destroys all pain

Come into the darkness which is my center

Cause it to blaze with beauty

Shine through my heart-caves with never-ending glory

That the way may be lit for the coming of the King

O beloved sun! Source of all that I hold dear!

I am empty - fill me! I am hungry - feed me!

I am alone - fill me with the love that has no end!

I beg you, I plead with you, my tears are without number

Show me not your shimmering veils, but your blazing heart!

I cry in the darkness for your love, the Light Divine

I glory in bliss at your holy entrance

May my tears fall without ceasing, if they be but roads for your light

May I scream and tremble, if it brings you one inch closer to me!

O light of God, love of Love

Shine from my heart into the darkness of infinite night

And let my soul be filled with the beauty of your love

I dance for you in caverns of the heart

The ancient gypsy dances of romance and desire

My soul cries in wonder for your love

The trees ring with your praises as I worship in the moonlight

I feel the winds of love pass over my heart

I grow as the sunlight fills the sky with brilliance

I am filled with beauty, hearkening to the presence of God

O light divine, fill the world with your glory

Shine through the darkness; destroy pain and strife

Fill mankind with the knowledge of your wondrous story

That he may have passion for God in his heart

RUMI

...The Dancing Cry Of The Soul ... (poetry I)

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Love is the dancing cry of the soul, calling the body to worship

Like a shining whirlpool, or a spinning mayfly

So is love among the skies.


I leap across the mountaintops, madly singing the song of all songs
I float through the ether, intoxicated, thrilled
I think only of your love, your calling to me
And I dance the thousand dances of love, all returning to you.


It is not the play of children, nor the detached unity of wise sages
Unreal! Unnecessary!
Where is the beauty?
When I, like a glowing comet, may flash around your sun
Laughing, singing, with the joy of loving you!


Wine makes drunk the mind and body
But it is love which thrills the soul
When I approach you, I feel the mad pounding of love
The singing wonder
The joy which opens blossoms on the trees of the world


Come to me, and I shall dance with you
In the temples, on the beaches, through the crowded streets
Be you man or woman, plant or animal, slave or free
I shall show you the brilliant crystal fires, shining within
I shall show you the beauty deep within your soul
I shall show the path beyond Heaven.


Only dance, and your illusions will blow in the wind
Dance, and make joyous the love around you
Dance, and your veils which hide the Light
Shall swirl in a heap at your feet.

- Rumi -