The Book Divine
the book embodies God
blessed be the alphabet
the word blessed
blessed the scribe
the calligrapher blessed
blessed the one who contemplates
and meditates on the word
blessed the ears
that fill with its musicblessed are the hands that touch the book
those that once caressed it
and those that will receive it
blessed the Hand that brought it forthblessed the animal skin
destined to be its cover
blessed the rotting pulp
incarnated in its paper
blessed be the paper
chariot of imagination soaring to the sky
blessed the ink
that gets immersed
and forms the luminous word
for whatever exists
exists in that wordblessed be the potter
who moulded the inkpot
the quill’s holy dip in the ink
bless the tanner who dyed the skin
and the paste and thread that bound itblessed is the peaceful dark
of the book when closed
blessed the illumination
of its opening word
blessed the place where it rests
the place of rendezvous
fulfilling promises
as the swan sings
and the bride whispers to the
nuptial bed
Translated by Shashi Joshi
Page(s) 82-83
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