the beauty of your face

a poem by Rabi'a

A Sufi poet of the eighth century, Rabi’a writes verse of such lovely intimacy and longing for union with her God. This brief one pulls at my heart: I have lived in this same space before.

O my Lord,
if I worship you 
from fear of hell, burn me in hell.

If I worship you
from hope of Paradise, bar me from its gates.

But if I worship you
for yourself alo…