Sufi poems
The following is by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (r.a.)
What is interesting is that he shows a more "spiritual" side in this poem, evoking the works of Sufi poets. In a way it almost reads like a Psalm from the Old Testament, but is peppered with Sufi references.
The "beloved" in the first line, actually refers to God.
When he says that he "forgets his own existence," it refers to a sort of release of the ego or nafs.
The "tavern" is not a place where alcoholic beverages are served, but refers to a spiritual state of "intoxication" with God, while the "mosque and school" can be taken to be doing the "bare minimum" in spiritual terms, i.e. the physical poses of religion alone, without the meanings behind them.
Oh my beloved! After witnessing your Infinite Beauty I become entangled.
Seeing, the manifestation of Your Glory, I become saturated with joy and ecstasy.
I forget my own existence and proclaimed the slogan -'I am the truth', and like the Mansoor Hallaj volunteered my self for hanging
The agony and pain of your love has burnt my entire existence.
That I become fed up with my own self; and my affairs become the talks of the town
"Let the doors of tavern be opened,
And let us go there day and night.
Because, I become disgusted with,
The Mosque as well as from the School.
I took off the dress of ascesticm and dissimulation.”
And become awakened after wearing the robe of a tavern's haunter."
"The town's preacher with his preaching made me uncomfortable
Therefore, I sought refuge in some on who was inwardly upright but outwardly lewd."
Let me allow to remember the temple’s sweet memories.
Where I was awakened from the sweet touch of my beloved's hand.