Blood rains from my eyes
for neither tears nor sighs remain.
How strange that for me everything has come to depend
upon a smile, a glance.
These crude imaginings, these incessant thoughts —
all were traps.
Gone now, they did not lead
to inner awakening.
To whom can I speak of this misconception?
It is a serious mistake
to believe that the nightingale’s cry
is from desire for the face of the rose.
He who opens his mouth and declares,
“I am a lover”
is not sincere in love
and will never reach the goal.
Disregard the physical form!
Barter away heart and religion!
Choose instead a beautiful idol
of perfect royal splendor.
Sit with tight lips and
keep silent!
Put aside intellect, judgment and awareness;
do not seek a path!
If He should give you good news
that you have arrived at some destination,
disregard it!
Have no hope of it!
By relying in this way
on the help of love and drunkenness,
at every moment — not just now and then —
you will become free of self-worship.