Günther Uecker

Werk 17

At dawn, as I told the wind the story of my aspiration,
A voice came that I should be confident of divine favors.
Morning prayers and nocturnal sighs lead you to your goal.
Proceed in this way until you are united with your beloved.
The tongue of the pen cannot express the mystery of love.
The description of longing is beyond the limits of writing.
O Joseph of Egypt who became preoccupied by sultanate,
Ask about your father! What happened to your filial love?
This elegant ancient world has no compassion in its nature.
What do you seek of its love and why do you rely on it?
It is a pity that a noble homâ like you be greedy for a bone?
Wasted is that shade of effort you cast on the undeserved!
If this bazaar has any profit, it is for the contented dervish.
O God, make me rich through poverty and contentment.
The dark-eyed of Kashmir and the Turks of Samarqand
Dance and mince to the poetry of Hafes.

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Translation