The poem below, above my poem, is a translation (my own) of the verses that appear in my work of art . They are by the great Arab philosopher and theologian, Mawlana Ibn Arabi, 1156- 1240.
My heart has now become recipient to all images
As it has turned into the grazing fields where gazelles play,
And into the monasteries where the monks pray ,…
For I have embraced the creed of love, wherever it fares;
Love is my religion and love is my faith.
I stood at the seashore and told the sea to love
Because my heart was brimming with love
And the sea loved
I rose among the stars and begged the stars to love
Because my heart was brimming with love
And the stars loved
I walked among the poets and philosophers and summoned them to love
Because my heart was brimming with love
And the poets and philosophers loved.
I stepped among the heroes of old and asked them to love
Because my heart was brimming with love
And the heroes of old loved
I walked among the dead and dying and whispered to them to love
Because my heart was brimming with love
But found out that they have already loved
That their hearts were brimming with love.
©Alisar Itam
alisariram 