Wings

Departing from Istanbul 12th Sept 2019
I messaged the Shaykh from the airport of Istanbul that I was boarding. He replied, laughing,
“You are boarding – I am flying!”

You’re boarding, I am flying!
The Saint said to the novice,
And laughed so that the flash
Of his molars lit up space.

Oh raise me with the himma of
“I’m flying, I am flying!”
And take me to the one who laughed
At horses with wings!

Oh raise me from the striving
Who are walking on the ground
And make me of the lovers
Who fly through the path!

Oh let me be one boarding
The vessel of salvation
To share the joy of those
Flying over the Bridge!

Oh let me board the flight of
The one who pierced the orbits
Oh let me hear the laughter of
The One who forgives!