Kabir - The Temple Poem by Michael Maxwell Steer

In the temple of this life
Honour your inward focus.
'Twas already late when day awoke us,
Don't wait for th'arrival of night.

Your lover has patiently waited for ages,
Alert from the very first light,
Standing outside your door to catch sight
Of you: don't withhold the wages

Of one who asks only a sign from your heart.
Give ear to th'inaudible song
Whose lyrical tune you have known all along
Yet requires your assent for its start.

The melody's hidden from every ear
That is closed to the feelings of love:
It comes from the highest of heavens above,
Bringing rapture to all who can hear.


Original poem by the 15thC mystical poet Kabir (Bk3.96) , translated by Rabindranath Tagore and Kshiti Mohan Sen (#86) . Versed by MMS 13/1/11