I saw God
not in the prayer niche, not in a book,
but in the flight of a crow
rising from my canvas,
never to return.
If Shams were alive,
he would come, sit beside me,
and whisper:
O silent Sufi,
do not bind yourself to names;
you are from the lineage of nameless birds,
born not to describe yourself,
but to soar.
Let the colors speak.
Let your heart lead the brush.
Art is that moment when you don’t know
whether you guide the paint—
or it, you.
And I,
with hands acquainted with light,
and a heart detached from the world,
paint,
guided by a cool, fleeting sensation
that sometimes appears
in the blue groove of a single stroke,
not for seeing,
but in longing
to drink a cup of coffee with God
when He calls me
by my first name.
~
The featured painting is “Spirit of the City” by Shirin Jabalameli
Below, the poem in its original Persian
“تبار پرندگان “
خدا را دیدم،
نه در محراب، نه در کتاب،
که در پرواز کلاغی بود
که از بوم نقاشیام برخاست
و هیچگاه بازنگشت.
شمس اگر زنده بود،
میآمد کنارم مینشست و
میگفت: صوفیِ خاموش،
مبادا خود را به نامها گره بزنی،
تو از تبار پرندگان بینامی؛
نه برای شرح خویش، که برای پرواز آفریده شدهای.
بگذار رنگها حرف بزنند،
بگذار دلت، بوم را راه ببرد.
هنر، همان لحظهایست که نمیدانی
تو رنگ را میکشی
یا رنگ تو را
و من،
با دستهایی آشنا با نور
و دلی که دیگر به جهان تعلق ندارد،
با ردّ حسی خنک که
گاه در شیار آبیِ یک لکه پیدا میشود
نقاشی میکنم ، نه برای دیدن،
که در آرزوی نوشیدن فنجانی قهوه با خدا
وقتی مرا به اسم کوچکم صدا میزند

What a beautiful poem and painting, my favorites so far. Dear Shirin, your work is very powerful, it makes you think deeply and awakens your imagination.
I truly enjoyed this poem and painting. Wishing you much success.
With Love,
Mojy ❤️
Thank you so much, Mojy! Your kind words mean a lot to me. I’m so glad the piece spoke to you
“O silent Sufi” – I might practice putting a hand to my heart and saying that to myself when trouble inevitably comes. Thank you for this gorgeous poem.
Thank you so much. I’m glad the poem resonated with you. May your heart always find peace
Dear Love,every way of art you do is taking my hart time after time,amazing beautiful,wish you always the best and succes.With great love,Ann.
Thank you so much dear Ann, your words truly touch my heart. Your kindness means the world to me.
‘Art is that moment when you don’t know
whether you guide the paint—
or it, you.’
I feel the sacred relationship with God in art, birds, Shams, even what it means for you to be a Sufi. Thank you for this sacred pause, for gifting us with this painting, these words, your Sufi spirit.
Your reflection feels like a quiet mirror to my own soul.
Thank you for receiving the sacred in these colors and words.
Grateful that spirit recognized spirit. That’s the true art.
“…You are from the lineage of nameless birds…” Beautiful! Congratulations on receiving a Pushcart nomination for this gorgeous poem!
Daniel Skach-Mills
Thank you so much! I truly appreciate your kind words.
Congratulations on your beautiful poetry! You have a truly special talent for putting feelings into words.
Thank you so much! I truly appreciate it.