Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

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A Poem for the Small Face by Isaac Luria (1534 - 1572) Timeline English version by Jerome Rothenberg Original Language Aramaic Jewish 16th Century sons of his palace were shy who witness rays from the small face these to be here at this table the king cuts grooves from his ring in be pleased with this meeting this center of powers all winged to bring joy to it now is his hour of peace without anger draw near me thou see my companions be night without judgment those dogs wild with chutzpah keep out may not enter but send for Ancient of Days exchanging the jewel in his forehead his peace as he sees it releases the light from the shells & will flow with it into each orifice these will conceal under domes will be here in praise of the evening a poem for the small face     -- from A Big Jewish Book: Poems and Other Visions of the Jews from Tribal Times to the Present, Edited by Jerome Rothenberg Amazon.com	Themes   Bliss   King   Light   Night   Smile Recommended Books A Big Jewish Book: Poems and Other Visions of the Jews from Tribal Times to the Present, Edited by Jerome Rothenberg
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Commentary by Ivan M. Granger

Today's poem is a prayer to be said at a Sabbath gathering. It is a prayer of centering and wholeness, within the individual, within the Sabbath gathering, within creation itself. It is also a prayer of protection, to keep destructive and disturbing forces outside the boundaries of the holy circle. It is a prayer to release the scattered and trapped light of God, that it may reintegrate the world and the individual within it... within the present moment.

now
is his hour of peace

Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2011 by Ivan M. Granger.
All other material is copyrighted by the respective authors, translators and/or publishers.