I Am Really Just a Tambourine - Hafiz

Good poetry makes the universe admit a secret

The first time I ever read my poetry to strangers was at a comedy open mic in my small town. I sandwiched one serious poem between two funny ones. It felt good when the tiny audience was engaged and responsive, and it was another step in helping me see that my poetry has meaning beyond just myself and my own therapuetic process.

I had been encouraged to do this by a man I had been hanging out with at the time. He also gave me The Gift by Hafiz, and I want to share a few of those poems that stuck with me.

—

I Am Really Just a Tambourine

Good

Poetry

Makes the universe admit a

Secret:

“I am

Really just a tambourine,

Grab hold,

Play me

Against your warm

Thigh.”

-

How Do I Listen?

How

Do I

Listen to others?

As if everyone were my Master

Speaking to me

His

Cherished

Last

Words

-

Dropping Keys

The small man

Builds cages for everyone

He

Knows.

While the sage,

Who has to duck his head

When the moon is low,

Keeps dropping keys all night long

For the

Beautiful

Rowdy

Prisoners.

—

I’d love to hear from you. I want to know what you think. Did you like this poem? Did any part of it resonate with you? Let me know.