Reflection
by Sadaf Jaffer

I am disoriented in this land of forms.
Strange figures with strange voices call out my name.
Distracting visions accost me from every direction.

What is a mirror but a defective thing
reflecting only skewed vision of Reality? It is my enemy
and yet my only glimpse of the Beloved.

The song of my soul longs for return,
the song of my body longs for unison,
the song of my existence longs for annihilation.

Answer my tortured pleas, respond to my drunken cries and free me from the
slavery of this dream-world.

My only consolation is the hope of my eminent return,
until then my eyes will continue to pour tears.
Tears that cannot quench the fires deep within.

Longing is a searing iron branding my soul.
Love a torch engulfing it in flames.
In each instant my helpless soul destroyed,
and in each instant replaced,
like the skins of those damned to hellfire.