I will thread you a poem

I read this poem at the Tuggeranong Arts Centre at a night of Persian poetry and music. It will be published in a pamphlet responding to Persian Music shortly. Thanks to Salar Ayoubi (tar musician and vocalist) and his ensemble for making this possible.


I will thread you a poem
Writing poetry is like stringing random pearls. -Hafez (1326-1390)

I'll take the words that paint my suffering
and choose the finest piece of silken string
to thread those thoughts into a wondrous poem
so exquisite your heart will soar and sing

you'll hear my words as if they had been sewn
like pearls to light the dark when you're alone
caresses on a silken string to woo
this nightingale I yearn to make my own

emeralds and sapphires keen with green and blue
will see my words and dream of wandering through
to add the colors of the earth and sky
till every pearl strung in its random queue

has rainbow sheen enough to have you sigh
and quiver like a restless butterfly -
I'll place this poem around your slender throat
and you will sing my love and make reply

then every gem - transformed to music note -
will carry us places so remote
we'll learn the secrets of the universe
and wisdom that the ancient sages wrote

we'll see the moon and stars disperse
into the pearly dawn's soft silken purse
and when the sun bursts through its crimson ring
each living thing will listen to my verse

I'll take the words that paint my suffering ..........


© hazel SS hall
29 June 2012