In the Book of Beauty

Bibi Hayati (? - 1853, Persia, now Iran)

(excerpt)

In the book of beauty, is this the first line?

Or merely a fragment I scribble, tracing your eyebrows?

Is this boxwood gathered in the orchard, or the rose garden's

cypress?

The Tree of Paradise, heavy with dates, or the shape of your

standing?

Is this scent from a Chinese deer, or the fragrance of infused water?

Is it the breathing of roses carried on the wind, or your perfume? [...]

Is this magic, or a chalice of red wine at dawn?

Your narcissus eye drunk with the way, or a sorcerer's work?

Is it the garden of Eden, or some earthly paradise?

The temple of those who have mastered the heart, or an alley?

From Women in Praise of the Sacred,

42 Centuries of Spiritual Poetry by Women,

HarperCollins, 1995