Let Them Have Paradise

by Yunus Emre

English version by Jennifer Ferraro & Latif Bolat
Original Language Turkish

My eyes exist to see You.
My hands exist to reach You.
Today I set my life on your Path --
     Tomorrow I will find You.

Today I set my life on your Path,
so tomorrow you may know my worth;
Don't give me Paradise as reward for my faith --
     I have no desire to go.

The place you call Paradise
for which every good believer strives
is but a house of beautiful women to the wise --
     I have no desire to embrace them.

You gave me a son and a daughter
who've brought me every pleasure;
even for them I have no more desire --
     All my desire is for You.

Give all that to the orthodox believers --
They are the ones who want Your favors.
I have no desire for home or possessions either --
     I have no desire but for You.

Yunus misses You terribly.
     Show him that You miss him too.

If Your way is not to torture,
show some mercy so he can reach You.

-- from Quarreling with God: Mystic Rebel Poems of the Dervishes of Turkey, Translated by Jennifer Ferraro / Translated by Latif Bolat

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The Longing in Between: Sacred Poetry from Around the World (A Poetry Chaikhana Anthology) Poetry for the Spirit: Poems of Universal Wisdom and Beauty Music of a Distant Drum: Classical Arabic, Persian, Turkish & Hebrew Poems The Drop That Became the Sea: Lyric Poems of Yunus Emre Quarreling with God: Mystic Rebel Poems of the Dervishes of Turkey
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Let Them Have