We Have Not Come To Take Prisoners

We have not come here to take prisoners, but to surrender ever more deeply
To freedom and joy.

We have not come into this exquisite world to hold ourselves hostage
From love.

Run my dear, from anything that may not strengthen your precious
Budding wings.

Run like hell, my dear, from anyone likely to put a sharp knife into the sacred,
Tender vision of your beautiful heart.

We have a duty to befriend those aspects of obedience that stand outside of our house
And shout to our reason "O please, O please, Come out and play."

For we have not come here to take prisoners or to confine our wondrous spirits,
But to experience ever and ever more deeply our divine courage, freedom, and light.

[from The Gift: Poems By Hafiz, tr. Daniel Ladinsky, slightly modified].