Welcome to F.I.E.L.D.- the First Ismaili Electronic Library and Database.

07. Homo Ludens.

The World knows the GAME -

don t cut yourself in.

Even swiftflying hawks

will fall in its snare.

I build a palace

the world pulls it down:

what do you call this

but Play?

What is it; Ludus?,

that from which nothing

is gained. But you

are mad for it.

In the claws of the worldhawk

your hair goes piebald grey;

now turn back

from this pointless Play.

Youth was a downward slope

- easy breathing, head held high -

now the upward climb of old age

and you hang your head.

Youth a descent

you rushed unchecked;

but now before the hill of age

you gape and yawn.

>When I was young

I did so-and-so

but now you ve grown old

why boast over nothing?

When you were so rich

why didn t you stash something

to tide you over now

you re down and out?

Yourstates are like

fish in the sea:

in the sea who owns them

mon brave?

World s face embroidered

with playfulness:

turn away and sew up

your own affairs.

Unless you turn body and soul

to gnosis and devotion

those two uncaring frauds

will cheat you blind.

Circling . . . circling -

close the circle - die.

If you do not start NOW

when will you start?

Screwing around, ballgames

injustice, backbiting, theft

lying, conning, putting it on,

pride, impudence and slander:

demongames

set-ups for the Fire -

get out of them

heave them overboard.

At school they force knowledge

down your throat;

ignorance sings harmonies with you

when you harmonise withNature@.

Why aren t you greedy

for knowledge? You re usually

voracious, a glutton for

whatever you don t have.

I heard you boasting of

your eloquent Arabic.

Idiot! Arabic - its only value

is to read the Qur an

the Treasury of Knowledge

for those who read it passionless -

and what enticed you to poetry

if not your passions?

Mine of Divine Mysteries

you scorn it

intimate playfellow

of lying devils.

If I m to be called

your fellow-religionist

you ll have to cut yourself

off from such friends.

O Nasir ! Cut yourself off indeed

O PROOF! From braggrats

and seekers of fame, for you

are a man of truth and piety.

It s enough of you can

escape from their clutches -

cut the story short and leave off

talking about the Persians.

For in your heart are

ambergris-scented rose-tinted

brocades with you

the perfumer, the draper

will offer to

the wise.


Back to top