A Vision Of God

In the market, in the cloister—only God I saw.

In the Valley and on the mountain—only God I saw.

Him I have seen beside me oft in tribulation;

In favor and in fortune—only God I saw.

In prayer and in fasting, in praise and contemplation,

In the religion of the Prophet—only God I saw.

Neither soul nor body, accident nor substance,

Qualities nor causes—only God I saw.

Like a candle I was melting in His fire

Amidst the flames outflashing—only God I saw.

Myself with mine own eyes I saw most clearly,

But when I looked with God’s eyes—only God I saw.

I passed away into nothingness, I vanished,

And lo, I was All-living—only God I saw.

  Baba Kuhi of Shiraz, an Iranian Sufi Mystic and poet who died in 1050 A.D